Chronic disorganization, self-efficacy, and coping as predictors of depressive symptoms in women

Sharon Grossman, Fordham University

Abstract

This study examined the influence of chronic disorganization, general self-efficacy, and coping on depressive symptoms in women. Several self-report measures, including the Chronic Disorganization Questionnaire (CDQ), the General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), the COPE, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale were distributed to and filled out by 129 women. Of the total sample, 66 women self-identified as organized whereas 63 self-identified as disorganized. Independent t-tests revealed that self-identified disorganized participants scored significantly higher on disorganization, avoidant coping, and depressive symptomatology, and significantly lower on self-efficacy and use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies than participants who self-identified as organized. Correlational, multiple regression, and path model analyses were conducted to investigate the relationships among the measured variables. Self-efficacy was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with disorganization, avoidant coping, and depression. A positive and significant correlation was found between self-efficacy and problem-focused as well as emotion-focused coping. The CES-D depression scores were predicted directly by chronic disorganization in the path model. However, the mediation effect of problem-focused coping was found to be not significant. In addition, depression was significantly and positively associated with CD and avoidant coping and significantly and negatively associated with self-efficacy and problem-focused coping. Whereas chronic disorganization, self-efficacy, and coping were found to be significant predictors of depression, chronic disorganization was found to be the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms followed by use of avoidant coping.

Subject Area

Behavioral psychology|Womens studies|School counseling|Clinical psychology

Recommended Citation

Grossman, Sharon, "Chronic disorganization, self-efficacy, and coping as predictors of depressive symptoms in women" (2009). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3361372.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3361372

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