COPING THROUGH EMOTIONAL APPROACH - PROBLEMS OF CONCEPTUALIZATION ANDCONFOUNDING

Two studies supported hypotheses that (a) published scales tapping cop ing through processing and expressing emotion are confounded with psyc hopathology; (b) previously demonstrated relations between emotional a pproach coping (EAC) and maladjustment are partially spurious; and (c) EAC, when tapped by items uncontaminated by distress, is beneficial u nder specific conditions. In Study 1, 194 psychologists rated a majori ty of published items, but no author-constructed EAC item, as indicati ve of pathology. Study 2 assessed relations of confounded and unconfou nded EAC scales to 171 young adults' adjustment during stressful event s. Confounded items evidenced weaker discriminant validity with distre ss measures than did unconfounded items, and they were weaker predicto rs of later maladjustment when initial adjustment was controlled than when it was not. Unconfounded EAC predicted improved adjustment for wo men and poorer adjustment for men over time.