Relationship between perceived stress and negative mood: differences according to of coping style

Abstract

In the Lazarus transactional model emphasizes the effect that certain stimuli can produce a stressor on stress response of individuals is determined by two key variables. One of them concerns the assessment made by the person of the magnitude of the stimulus, the other is related to the type of strategies used to cope. This paper examines whether the negative mood can be explained by perceived stress and coping style. It also examines whether there are differences in coping strategies used by gender and age.

Five hundred ten university responded to different scales to measure perceived stress, mood and coping style. The results show that perceived stress and frequent use of passive coping style are predictors of negative mood. In addition, we found differences in coping strategies used by gender and age. Implications of the results to minimize the impact of daily stressors.