The study of the relationship of proactive coping strategies with psychological well-being and life satisfaction

Sekatskaya Ekaterina Olegovna Clinical psychologist 119146, Russia, Moscow region, Moscow, Komsomolsky Prospekt str., 17 mus-ekaterina@yandex.ru

This article presents the relationship between personal characteristics and proactive coping strategies, as well as the consideration of personal characteristics as potential predictors of the formation of proactive coping.

Currently, research on coping strategies is gaining popularity, this is due to the fact that the main function of coping strategies is to reduce stress and increase the sense of subjective well-being of the individual. Special attention is paid here to such coping strategies that will help predict potential threats, and therefore will contribute to coping with difficulties in the early stages ^[3].

Thus, proactive coping strategies are such strategies of psychological regulation that are aimed at predicting and preventing possible stressful situations, as well as actively managing negative emotions and reactions. These strategies include components such as planning and preventing stressors, setting goals, and using self-regulation tools. Proactive coping strategies help to improve adaptation to stressful situations and increase the overall psychological well-being of an individual ^[1].

The main distinguishing feature of proactive coping strategies is also the fact that when applied, the stressful effect itself or a potential difficult life situation will be perceived neither as a threat, but rather as a challenge. Then overcoming, rather than avoidance or denial, will prevail in behavioral terms ^[8].

It is proactive coping that is considered as one of the means that can affect the mental health of an individual, including physical health when considering psychosomatic diseases, as well as the quality of life and subjective life satisfaction ^[5].

Considering the studies of the relationship between coping strategies and proactive coping with personal characteristics, it should be noted that there is a predominance of data on the presence of significant relationships. Thus, the very first study conducted in 1997 found that proactive coping prevails among people with certain personal characteristics: well-developed self-control, high self-esteem, high levels of optimism, etc. ^[10].

According to foreign data, the author notes the existence of a relationship between proactive coping with tolerance to uncertainty, as well as a sense of self-efficacy of the individual. This relationship is explained by the fact that an individual with such personal characteristics is more likely to have an idea that he will be able to cope with the difficulty that has arisen ^[11]. According to the conclusions of the domestic study by Agadullina E.R. and co-authors ^[1], as well as foreign colleagues, the results of the presence of an indirect connection between the emotional state and the choice of various coping strategies, including proactive, through the idea of one's own self-efficacy are confirmed.

It should also be noted that according to a number of foreign and domestic studies, there are positive correlations between the severity of proactive coping and such personal characteristics as optimism, resilience ^[6] and self-efficacy. It seems that one of the personal factors associated with proactivity may be a high level of awareness. Research shows that mindfulness has a positive effect on the emotional sphere, cognitive functions and psychological well-being of the subject ^[7].

It should be noted that personal characteristics can be predictors of proactive coping. For example, research shows that people with high levels of self-control, optimism, self-confidence and stress tolerance are more likely to use proactive strategies to cope with difficulties and stress. Also, some personality traits, such as empathy, empathy, and a desire to help others, can contribute to the development of proactive coping. However, it is important to remember that personal characteristics can also vary depending on the context and situation, so it is necessary to take into account other factors when studying predictors of proactive coping ^[4].

We conducted an empirical study among 144 respondents: 55 men and 89 women. The average age of the participants was 38.6 years, the maximum was 59 years, and the minimum was 21 years. In order to identify relationships and potential predictors of coping behavior. The respondents were diagnosed with the following set of techniques:

1. "The Big Five-factor personality Questionnaire" (Big5) by R. McCrae and P. Costa, adapted by A.B. Khromov

2. The questionnaire "Proactive coping", adapted by E.P. Belinskaya, A.V. Vecherin and E.R. Agadullina.

Let's look at each technique in more detail.

"The Big five-factor Personality Questionnaire" (Big5). Five-factor personality questionnaire (Big5), authors: R. McCrae, P. Costa. The purpose is to diagnose the psychological characteristics of a person. The main scales are: extraversion – introversion, attachment – separation, control – naturalness, emotionality – restraint, playfulness – practicality ^[9].

"Proactive coping", authors: E. Greenglass, R. Schwarzer, adapted by E.P. Belinskaya and A.V. Vecherin. The goal is to study proactive coping strategies. It contains 6 scales: proactive coping, reflexive coping, strategic planning, preventive coping, search for instrumental support, search for emotional support ^[2].

Results and discussions. For statistical calculations in order to determine the significance of the relationship between proactive coping and personal characteristics, as well as to determine the factor contribution, we used the Pearson coefficient correlation analysis method and single-factor analysis of variance.

Thus, data on significant correlations according to the scales of the "Big5" and "Proactive Coping Behavior Questionnaire" methods are presented in Table 1:

Table 1

The results of the correlation analysis of the data of the "Big5" and "Questionnaire of proactive coping behavior" techniques

*. The correlation is significant at 0.05

**. The correlation is significant at 0.01

Analyzing the data in Table 1, we note that:

– a statistically significant positive correlation was found between the "extraversion-introversion" scale and the "proactive overcoming" scale (r=0.370, at p<0,01). That is, the more extroversion is formed (according to the components of activity, dominance, sociability and attracting attention), the more proactive overcoming will be formed, which consists in goal setting.

– A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the "extraversion-introversion" scale and the "search for instrumental support" scale (r=0.155, at p<0,05). That is, the more extroversion is formed (according to the components of sociability and attracting attention), the more the search for instrumental support will be formed, which consists in obtaining information, advice and feedback from the immediate social environment.

– A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the "attachment-isolation" scale and the "proactive overcoming" scales (r=0.314, at p<0.01), "reflexive overcoming" (r=0.279, at p<0.01), "strategic planning" (r=0.312, at p<0.01)., "preventive overcoming" (r=0.236, at p<0.01), "search for instrumental support" (r=0.159, at p<0.05), "search for emotional support" (r=0.155, at p<0,01). That is, the more such a personal quality as affection is formed (according to the components of warmth, cooperation, understanding, trustfulness, respect for others), the more various forms of proactive coping behavior will be formed.

– A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the scale "self-control of behavior - impulsivity" and the scales "proactive overcoming" (r=0.322, at p<0.01), "reflexive overcoming" (r=0.512, at p<0.01), "strategic planning" (r=0.530, at p<0.01), "preventive overcoming" (r=0.447, at p<0,05). That is, the more self-control of behavior is formed (according to the components of accuracy, responsibility, foresight, self-control and perseverance), the more forms of coping behavior will be formed, which consist in goal setting, analysis of stressful situations and anticipation of potential stressors.

– A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the scale "emotional instability – emotional stability" and the scales "proactive overcoming" (r= – 0.276, at p<0.01)., "strategic planning" (r= – 0.210, at p<0,01). That is, the more such a personal quality as emotional instability is formed (according to the components of anxiety, depression, emotional lability, tension, self-criticism), the less such forms of coping behavior will be formed, which consist in the ability to set goals and create an action plan.

– A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the "expressivity - practicality" scale and the "proactive overcoming" scales (r=0.169, at p<0.05), "search for instrumental support" (r=0.175, at p<0.05)., "search for emotional support" (r=0.232, at p<0,01). That is, the more such a personal quality as expressivity is formed, the more such forms of coping behavior will be formed, which consist in goal setting, in receiving information, advice and feedback from the immediate social environment, in sharing feelings with other people.

Thus, in the perspective of further research, personal characteristics can be considered as factors of the severity of the formation of proactive coping. Thus, respondents with developed extraversion, attachment, expressivity and self-control demonstrate a greater formation of proactive coping strategies. The new empirical data obtained and the conclusions of the theoretical analysis may be relevant in the development of psychological support aimed at the development of proactive coping strategies among adults.