Do we need positive illusions to carry out plans? Illusion and instrumental coping

This study tested the theory that positive illusions and instrumental (prob lem-focused) coping behaviours are related (Brown, J. D. (1993). Coping wit h stress: The beneficial role of positive illusions. In A. P. Turnbull, J. M. Patterson, S. K. Behr, D. L. Murphy, J. G. Marquis, & M. J. Blue-Banning (Eds.), Cognitive coping, families, and disability, Baltimore: Paul H. Bro okes.). Positive illusion was assessed as a discrepancy between positive bi as towards the self in trait ratings and positive bias towards average othe rs, where ratings were self-favouring. Problem-focused coping was assessed through recall of coping with a recent stressful situation. The results sho wed that positive illusion scores were unrelated to problem-focused coping scores. It was suggested that although individuals need to be positive to c ope well they do not need positive illusions. Tests for gender differences showed that males held more positive illusions than females. No gender diff erences were found for problem-focused coping but females used emotion-focu sed coping more than males to cope with a recent stressful situation. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.