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Beckjord, Ellen Ingalls

Psychology

2004

Ph. D.

Few studies have examined the relationship between coping and control (sometimes known as the "goodness-of-fit" hypothesis), and those that have been conducted have been limited with respect to measurement and experimental design. This study examined coping, perceived control, and psychological distress in a sample of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer (mean age = 52 years). Analyses were conducted cross-sectionally (n = 205) and prospectively, after controlling for an initial distress assessment (n = 175). Coping was measured using the Responses to Stress Questionnaire, Cancer Version (Compas et al., 2003), which examines Primary Control Coping (e.g. problem solving, emotional expression), Secondary Control Coping (e.g. acceptance, distraction), and Disengagement Coping (e.g. denial, avoidance). Control was measured using the Multidimensional Measure of Control (Glinder, Langrock, Beckjord, & Compas, 2003), which assessed three dimensions of perceived control: control over emotional reactions to breast cancer, control over cancer outcomes, and control over life in general. Distress was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1990). Results showed that Primary Control Coping and Secondary Control Coping were related to lower levels of psychological distress, while Disengagement Coping was related to higher levels of distress (p < .01). All dimensions of perceived control were related to lower levels of distress (p < .01), though control over cancer outcomes was less related to distress.
Regarding the relationships between coping and control, Primary and Secondary Control Coping were related to higher levels of perceived control, and Disengagement Coping was related to lower levels of perceived control (p < .01). In cross-sectional analyses, interactions were detected between Primary Control Coping and perceived control over life in general (p < .05) and between Secondary Control Coping and perceived control over life in general (p < .05). Median splits revealed interactions suggesting that both Primary and Secondary Control Coping were more beneficial for distress at low levels of perceived control over life. In prospective analyses, interactions were detected between Secondary Control Coping and perceived control over emotions, cancer outcomes, and life in general (for each, p < .05). Median splits revealed interactions suggesting that Secondary Control Coping was more beneficial under low levels of perceived control. These findings support the goodness-of-fit hypothesis, indicating that psychological distress is lowered when control beliefs and coping efforts are matched. Limitations, future directions, and clinical implications are discussed.