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Family cohesion, control, social support, and the coping strategies of mothers of separated/divorced offspring Krause, Allison Mary

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between family cohesion, perceived control, received social support types (emotional, informational, and tangible), and the coping strategies used by mothers of separated or divorced offspring. Eighty-four mothers completed a questionnaire consisting of the Family Relationship Index, a revised version of the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors, the COPE scale, and a single control item. Two simultaneous multiple regression analyses were conducted with Avoidant coping (Focusing On And Venting Emotion, Behavioral Disengagement, and Mental Disengagement) and Active coping (Active Coping, Planning, and Positive Reinterpretation and Growth) as criterion variables, and family cohesion, perceived control, emotional support, informational support, and tangible support as predictor variables. The regression equation for Avoidant coping reached significance, F(5,78) = 7.68, p<.0001, and accounted for 33% of the variance in Avoidant coping. Three variables, family cohesion, perceived control, and received emotional support, were significantly related to Avoidant coping. The equation predicting Active coping also reached significance, F(5,78) = 2.46, p<.05, and accounted for 14% of the variance in Active coping. One variable, received emotional support, was significantly related to Active coping. The findings clarify the relationship between environmental variables (family cohesion, and support types), and personal variables (perceived control), and the greater use of specific coping strategies in mothers of separated or divorced offspring.

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