Life Stress: Psychological and socio-demographic variables as predictors of emotional distress

Authors

  • Beatriz Vallejo-Sánchez Gerencia de Area de Puertollano, Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha
  • Ana M. Pérez-García Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/ap.13.1.16150

Keywords:

personality, positivity, coping, perceived stress, adjustment disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Personality and coping used to man­age stress play an important role in the development of mental health problems. The aim of this study was to analyse whether these variables, together with per­ceived stress and some relevant socio-demographic characteristics, could predict the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms presented in people diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder (AD). As well as analys­ing if the significant predictor variables were the same in the control group. Method: Perceived stress, personality, positivity, coping and symptoms were assessed in a group of patients with Adjustment Dis­order who went to a Mental Health Unit (N = 80) and a control group (N = 80). Regression analyses were carried out to predict symptomatology. Results: Psy­chological and some socio-demographic variables predicted symptomatology, however, the results were different depending on the group and type of symp­tom considered. In the control group, higher neuroti­cism and perceived stress, lower positivity, and un­employment status predicted more depressive symp­toms; whereas higher neuroticism, being a female, and unemployment predicted higher anxiety (coping was not relevant in any case). In the clinical group, the predictive capacity of variables was lower, espe­cially in the case of anxiety. Lower positivity, greater use of disengagement or avoidant coping, being a male and unemployment predicted higher depressive symptomatology, whereas only neuroticism predicted symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: Personality, coping, perceived stress and socio-demographic characteristics could be factors of vulnerability that should be considered in the development of assess­ment, prevention and treatment strategies with people exposed to life stress. However, the characteristics of the group considered are a key factor in the selection of the most relevant strategy

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Author Biographies

Beatriz Vallejo-Sánchez, Gerencia de Area de Puertollano, Servicio de Salud de Castilla La Mancha

Licenciada en Psicología por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) y en Psicopedagogía por la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). Doctora en Psicología por la UNED. Especialista en Psicología Clínica. Máster en Psicología Clínica Legal y Forense y Experta en Terapia Familiar por la UCM.

Facultativo Especialista de Area en la Unidad de Salud Mental del Hospital Santa Bárbara de Puertollano, Ciudad Real.

Dirección Postal:

Centro de Salud Barataria, Planta 1, Unidad de Salud Mental

Avenida Primero de Mayo, 32

13500- Puertollano, Ciudad Real (España)

e-mail: bvs286@hotmail.com

Teléfono de contacto: 34-926431400

Ana M. Pérez-García, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

Licenciada y Doctora en Psicología por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Catedrática de Psicología de la Personalidad. Directora del Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluación y Tratamiento Psicológicos de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

Dirección Postal:

Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

C/ Juan del Rosal, 10, Ciudad Universitaria. 28040 Madrid (España).

Published

2016-05-29

How to Cite

Vallejo-Sánchez, B., & Pérez-García, A. M. (2016). Life Stress: Psychological and socio-demographic variables as predictors of emotional distress. Acción Psicológica, 13(1), 159–178. https://doi.org/10.5944/ap.13.1.16150

Issue

Section

Artículos de temática libre [Selection of articles]