Profiles of psychological well-being and coping strategies among university students

Abstract

[Abstract] In the transactional model of stress, coping responses are the key to preventing the stress response. In this study,the possible role o fpsychological well-being as a personal determinant of coping strategies in th eacademic context wa sanalyzed. 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, supportseeking, 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 psychologica lwell-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.