Systems of Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and attribution styles as predictors of coping strategies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between systems of Revised Gray’s model of personality, attribution styles and coping strategies. The survey was conducted on a sample of 274 students at the University of Novi Sad. The instruments that were used are: Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire (UOP) and Attribution Style Questionnaire (ASQ). Three stress coping strategies – Problem solving, Seeking Support and Avoidance were the criterion variables in the multiple analysis of covariance which investigated the contribution of attribution styles in both positive and negative situations and their interactions, controlling the contribution of the Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory systems. The results showed that significant predictors of Avoidance as coping strategy were the systems of Behavioral Activation and Freezing. Also, Avoidance was related to internal, stable and global attribution of negative events, as well as to interaction of attribution of positive and negative events that can be described as a pessimistic attribution style. Seeking Support as a coping strategy was predicted by Freezing system. Further, Seeking Support was associated with a tendency toward external, unstable and specific attribution of negative events. The Problem solving strategy was not determined neither by Systems of Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory, nor by attribution styles. The research results are in accordance with the Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory and with the findings that support the Reformulated learned helplessness model.