Coping efficacy and psychological problems of children of divorce.
Three models of the relations of coping efficacy, coping, and psychological problems of children of divorce were investigated. A structural equation model using cross-sectional data of 356 nine- to twelve-year-old children of divorce yielded results that supported coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between both active coping and avoiding coping and psychological problems. In a prospective longitudinal model with a subsample of 162 of these children, support was found for Time 2 coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between Time 1 active coping and Time 2 internalizing of problems. Individual growth curve models over four waves also found support for coping efficacy as a mediator of the relations between active coping and psychological problems. No support was found for alternative models of coping as a mediator of the relations between efficacy and symptoms or for coping efficacy as a moderator of the relations between coping and symptoms.
Sandler
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IN
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104, USA. irwin.sandler@asu.edu
Tein
J Y
JY
Mehta
P
P
Wolchik
S
S
Ayers
T
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013315:Stress, Psychological