Triangulation of self-report and investigator-rated coping indices
as predictors of psychological stress: A longitudinal investigation among
public utility workers
Affiliations: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: J.E.C. Lee, Institute of Population
Health, 1 Stewart Street, Room 312, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5. Tel.: +1 613
562 5800 Ext. 2031; Fax: +1 613 562 5380; E-mail: jlee007@uottawa.ca
Abstract: The aims of the present study were to: (a) determine if
self-reported coping is consistent with conceptually-equivalent
investigator-rated coping indices; (b) establish which types of coping are
associated with psychological stress; and (c) establish whether using
investigator-rated in addition to self-report coping indices to predict stress
outcomes is beneficial in a real life context of worker's stressors. To fulfil
these aims, a longitudinal investigation was conducted among 40 Canadian
workers from the public utility sector. Results from semi-structured interviews
about their worst current stressors revealed main effects for some coping types
as assessed with investigator-rated indices, whereas no main effects were
observed with self-report coping indices. Still, self-report and
investigator-rated coping indices together significantly predicted follow-up
stress. Psychological stress was most strongly predicted by investigator-rated
behavioural approach. While self-report cognitive approach predicted lower
psychological stress, investigator-rated cognitive approach predicted greater
stress. Findings underline the importance of using both types of coping indices
to predict outcome.
Keywords: Coping, psychological stress, multi-source measurement, Life Events and Difficulties Schedule, longitudinal investigation, public utility workers
