Towards understanding interindividual differences in stressor appraisals: A systematic review. (1st December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kilby, Christopher J.; Sherman, Kerry A.; Wuthrich, Viviana
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 135(2018)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2018-12-01
• Subjects: Stress -- Stressor appraisal -- Primary appraisal -- Challenge appraisal -- Threat appraisal -- Transactional model of stress -- Emotional intelligence -- Personality; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This paper aims to systematically review and synthesize existing empirical evidence examining the factors related to interindividual differences in stressor appraisals (i.e., perceived challenge and threat). Method: Studies were identified in PsycINFO, Scopus, Psychological and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Medline databases (1980-March 2017). Only empirical studies assessing constructs theorized to influence stressor appraisals were included. Results: Of the 1956 identified articles, 11 studies reported in 12 articles assessing six constructs met inclusion criteria: Emotional intelligence, Big Five personality traits, anxiety, stress mindset, just world beliefs, and perfectionism. Stronger challenge appraisals were associated with higher emotional intelligence, lower neuroticism, higher extraversion, and more positive beliefs about the consequences of feeling stressed. Weaker threat appraisals were associated with lower neuroticism, and higher emotional intelligence, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness, stronger beliefs that the world is a just and fair place, and lower perfectionistic concerns and greater perfectionistic striving. Anxiety was unrelated to appraisals. Conclusion: This review identified factors associated with interindividual differences in stressor appraisals, with some factors related to challenge appraisal but not threat appraisal, and vice versa. This suggests a potentially complex interplay between personality and appraisals. Highlights: There are interindividual differences in the way stressful events are appraised. This review collates factors related to these interindividual differences. Eleven studies reporting on six different factors met inclusion criteria. Very few of the identified factors have been replicated or confirmed. Some factors related to challenge appraisal but not threat, and vice versa.