SELF-CONCEPT CLARITY AND PREFERRED COPING STYLES

This study examined the relation between self-concept clarity and (a) preferred general coping styles, (b) coping with a specific event, and (c) coping with a specific ongoing situation in 175 undergraduate stu dents. The results of the regression analyses for general coping style s indicated that self-concept clarity made a reliable but weak positiv e contribution to active coping styles (e.g., planning and taking acti on) and a strong negative contribution to passive coping styles (e.g., denial). The unique negative contribution of self-concept clarity to passive coping was replicated with respect to coping with a specific e vent and to coping with a specific ongoing situation. However, the wea ker positive contribution of self-concept clarity to active coping was not replicated with respect to coping with specific events or specifi c ongoing situations.