GENDER AND COPING - THE DUAL-AXIS MODEL OF COPING

Examined a dual-axis model of coping that included both action (active vs. passive) and social dimensions (prosocial vs. antisocial) of copi ng strategies among a combined sample of students and community reside nts. We developed an assessment device to represent the model and allo w investigation. Mixed support for the model and instrument were noted . Women were more prosocial than men in their coping, but no less acti ve. Men were more likely to use antisocial and aggressive, but less as sertive coping strategies than women. More prosocial, action coping st rategies were also more likely to be related to greater sense of maste ry and more liberal gender-role orientation. Antisocial and passive st rategies tended to be related to lower mastery and more traditional ge nder-role orientation. Active coping was related to lower emotional di stress for men and women, but both prosocial and antisocial coping wer e related to greater emotional distress for men, suggesting that men m ay have a narrower band of beneficial coping strategies than do women.