title: Profiles of Psychological Well-being and Coping Strategies among University Students.
abstract: In the transactional model of stress, coping responses are the key to preventing the stress response. In this study, the possible role of psychological well-being as a personal determinant of coping strategies in the academic context was analyzed. Specifically, the study has two objectives: (a) to identify different profiles of students according to their level of psychological well-being; and (b) to analyze the differences between these profiles in the use of three coping strategies (positive reappraisal, support-seeking, and planning). Age, gender, and degree were estimated as covariables. A total of 1,072 university students participated in the study. Latent profile analysis was applied to four indices of psychological well-being: self-acceptance, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. An optimal four-profile solution, reflecting significant incremental shifts from low to very high psychological well-being, was obtained. As predicted, the profile membership distinguished between participants in positive reappraisal, support-seeking, and planning. Importantly, the higher the profile of psychological well-being was, the higher the use of the three coping strategies. Gender differences in coping strategies were observed, but no interaction effects with psychological well-being were found. Age and degree were not relevant in explaining the use of coping strategies. These results suggest that psychological well-being stands as an important personal resource to favor adaptive coping strategies for academic stress.
authors: Research Group in Educational Psychology, Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of A Coruña A Coruña, Spain.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Freire
authors: Research Group in Educational Psychology, Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of A Coruña A Coruña, Spain.
authors: María Del Mar
authors: MD
authors: Ferradás
authors: Research Group in Educational Psychology, Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of A Coruña A Coruña, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Valle
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo Oviedo, Spain.
authors: José C
authors: JC
authors: Núñez
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo Oviedo, Spain.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Vallejo
keywords: academic stress; coping strategies; latent profile analysis; psychological well-being; university students