Uplifts and functional coping versus hassles and dysfunctional coping: assessment of a balance model on health outcomes

Abstract

The aim was to test a hypothesized model which indicates that a favorable balance between daily uplifts and functional coping on the one hand, and daily hassles and dysfunctional coping on the other, will be associated with fewer stress-related physical and psychological symptoms and a lower PTSD indication. An unfavorable balance was expected to show the reverse pattern. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 2512 Swedish military veterans (43.4% response rate). Four different statistical analyses were employed: bivariate correlations, multiple regression analyses, a cluster analysis and within-strata comparisons. All four analyses pointed to the same finding, a clear support of strong relationships between the balance box score and the frequency of physical and psychological symptoms as well as values on a PTSD indication scale. In addition, it appears as if the negative side of the balance box, a high frequency of perceived daily hassles and much use of an escape-avoidance coping style, account for stronger health associations than the positive side. Practical implications include that efforts should be made to limit the use of dysfunctional coping strategies, which, at least partly, can be trained, and to reduce a negative balance between perceived daily hassles and uplifts.