A linear regression equation for the relationship between life change and illness for 281 college students was used to select subjects from the quartile showing less illness than predicted (coping subjects, n = 34) and from the quartile showing more illness than predicted (sensitive subjects, n = 20). Comparisons between groups on the number and use of social supports and on the K, 1, 2, and 3 scales of the MMPI showed no significant differences in social support. The sensitive subjects were higher on scales 1 and 3 of the MMPI but not different on K or 2. The results were discussed in terms of strategies for dealing with stress which are reflected in a 1, 3 elevation on the MMPI.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CooleyE.MillerA.KeeseyJ.LevenspielM.SissonC.Self-report assessment of life change and disorders. Psychological Reports, 1979, 44, 1079–1086.
DeanA.LinN.The stress-buffering role of social support. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1977, 165, 403–417.
4.
GilberstadtH.DukerJ.A handbook for clinical and actuarial MMPI interpretation. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1965.
5.
GrahamJ. R.The MMPI: A practical guide. New York: Oxford Univer. Press, 1977.
6.
JohnsonJ. G.SarasonI. G.Life stress, depression and anxiety: Internal-external control as a moderator variable. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1978, 22, 205–208.
7.
JohnsonJ. H.SarasonI. G.SiegelJ. M.Arousal seeking as a moderator of life stress. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1979, 49, 665–666.
8.
KobasaS. C.Stressful life events, personality, and health: An inquiry into hardiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979, 37, 1–11.
9.
MillerA.CooleyE.Moderator variables for the relationship between life change and disorders. Journal of General Psychology, in press.
10.
NuckollsK.Life crises and psychosocial assets: Some clinical implications. In KaplanB. H.CasselJ. C. (Eds.), Family and health: An epidemiological approach. Chapel Hill, NC: Institute for Research in Social Sciences, 1975. Pp. 39–62.
11.
SarasonI. G.JohnsonJ. H.SiegelJ. M.Assessing the impact of life change: Development of the Life Experiences Survey. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 932–946.
12.
WylerA. R.MasudaM.HolmesT. H.Seriousness of illness rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1968, 11, 363–374.
