(PS8-D90) The Role of Approach Coping in the Relationship Between Avoidant Coping and Depression

To help manage emotions during difficult periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, people often adopt both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Avoidant coping strategies, such as self-distraction, substance use, and denial, are considered maladaptive because while they may provide temporary relief, research has demonstrated that they are positively associated with increased symptoms of depression (Horwitz et al., 2011). On the contrary, approach coping strategies, such as acceptance, positive reframing, and emotional support, provide more long-term relief and have been associated with decreased symptoms of depression (Benatov et al., 2020).  Prior literature has indicated that avoidant coping and approach coping relate independently to depression; however, there is little research demonstrating how these three variables interrelate, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study examined approach coping as a mediator between avoidant coping and depression among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants for this Institutional Review Board-approved study were recruited through a series of online flyers (N=393, M_age=25.47 years, 77.8% Female, 19.9% Male, 80.2% White, 7.2% Asian, 5.7% Black, 3.9% multiracial, 8% Hispanic). Participants completed self-report surveys that measured avoidant coping, depression, and approach coping. A regression analysis was conducted using the SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4) to explore the hypothesis that approach coping mediates the relationship between avoidant coping and depression. The overall model was significant, F(2, 390)=123.94, p< .001, R²=.39, explaining 39% of the variance. The path between avoidant coping and approach coping was significant (b=-0.53, p< .001), with increased avoidant coping being associated with less approach coping. The path between approach coping and depression was also significant (b=-.19, p< .001), with increased approach coping being associated with decreased depression. The path between avoidant coping and depression remained significant (b=.78, p< .001), which indicates that approach coping acted as a partial mediator. These results indicate that while avoidant coping strategies are predictive of depressive symptoms, what explains this relationship, in part, is the lack of approach coping strategies. This suggests that despite engagement in avoidant coping, individuals can decrease depressive symptoms by engagement in approach coping skills. The public may benefit from psychoeducation about approach coping strategies and the advantages of engaging in these approaches, particularly related to decreasing depressive symptoms during difficult circumstances.

Benatov, J., Klomek, A. B., Apter, A., Carli, V., Wasserman, C., Hoven, C. W., ... & Wasserman, D. (2020). Doing nothing is sometimes worse: Comparing avoidant versus approach coping strategies with peer victimization and their association to depression and suicide ideation. Journal of school violence, 19(4), 456-469.

Horwitz, A. G., Hill, R. M., & King, C. A. (2011). Specific coping behaviors in relation to adolescent depression and suicidal ideation. Journal of adolescence, 34(5), 1077-1085.