A computer-based avatar task can differentiate avoidant and non-avoidant coping styles*. Issue 5 (3rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, M. T.; Myers, C. E.
• Is Part Of: Anxiety, stress, and coping. Volume 32:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 477
• Page End: 483
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03
• Subjects: Coping styles -- avoidance -- computer-based task -- avatar -- anxiety vulnerability; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Research -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- periodicals; Stress -- periodicals; Adaptation, Psychological -- periodicals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2019.1618841
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-5806

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background/Objective: Coping styles play a role in how individuals respond to stress and therapy. One aspect of coping which has been linked to adverse outcomes including anxiety disorders and PTSD is avoidance. However, a tendency to avoid may affect the accuracy of paper and pencil inventories used to identify avoidant temperaments. Previously, we showed that a computer-based task in which an on-screen "avatar" is guided through a series of onscreen events could predict avoidance including behavioral inhibition, harm avoidance, and self-reported PTSD symptoms. Since some coping styles involve avoidance, we extended this work to determine whether scores on the avatar task would also differentiate avoidant and non-avoidant coping styles as measured by the Brief COPE. Methods: One hundred and fifty undergraduates voluntarily completed the avatar task and the Brief COPE. Results: Scores on the avatar task had a significant positive relationship with an aggregate score for the five avoidant coping styles and a significant negative relationship with an aggregate score for the nine non-avoidant coping styles. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the avatar task to differentiate coping styles based on avoidance further validates this task and also shows selectivity to avoidant coping styles as opposed to other non-avoidant coping styles.