CONTROL APPRAISALS AS MODERATORS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND COPING

This study examined the relationship between intrusive thinking, contr ol appraisals, and coping strategies within the context of stressful n egative events using a short-term longitudinal design. Although intrus ive thoughts were not related to problem-focused coping at Time 1, the se cognitions were positively associated with problem-focused coping a t subsequent reporting periods. Intrusive thoughts were positively ass ociated with behavioral engagement. Perceived control was positively a ssociated with problem-focused coping across all reporting periods, wh ereas perceptions of other's culpability were positively related to be havioral disengagement for all time periods except Time 1. There was l imited support for the hypothesis that appraisals of control would mod erate the relationship between intrusive thinking and coping behaviors .