Conceptual and empirical differences between adaptive efficacy and coping

Abstract

In this research, measures of adaptive efficacy and coping are compared with the aim of examining the extent to which they reflect similar aspects of the general functioning of individuals. The sample consisted of 103 undergraduate students, aged between 17 and 44 years (21.67 ± 4.78; 83.5% women). The instruments were The Escala Diagnóstica Adaptativa Operacionalizada de Autorrelato (EDAO-AR) and the Coping Response Inventory - Adult Form (CRI-A). We used t-test for independent samples and Pearson correlation for data analysis. Significant higher scores for women were observed only for coping strategy "emotional discharge” (t(97)=0.930, p=0.2, d= 0.2). Although the EDAO-AR and the CRI-A keep with each other some degree of association and theoretical overlap, the results indicated that the constructs of adaptive efficacy and coping focuses on different aspects of human activities. Limitations of the research and new perspectives are discussed.

Keywords

• escalas
• avaliação psicológica
• enfrentamento
• universitários
• jovens