The concept of coping modes: Relating cognitive person variables to actual coping behavior

In the first section, a model of “coping modes” is presented which distinguishes two main classes of coping strategies: vigilance and cognitive avoidance. Vigilance is characterized by an approach to and an intensified processing of threat-relevant information. Its general purpose is to gain control over the main threat-related aspects of a situation, thereby protecting the individual from the perception of threat which would result from the confrontation with unexpected dangers. Cognitive avoidance is viewed as a withdrawal from threat-relevant information. Its general purpose is to reduce the arousal engendered by the confrontation with an aversive event. Both terms are employed to describe actual stress-related actions and cognitive operations as well as interindividual differences in the dispositional inclination toward a certain class of strategies. The second section introduces an instrument for the separate assessment of vigilant and avoidant coping. Finally, a study which demonstrates the predictive power of this instrument is reported. This study analyzes the influence of dispositional and actual vigilant and avoidant coping strategies on self-reported and biochemical stress indicators as evidenced by patients facing a surgical operation.