Gender, coping, and mental health: A Bayesian network model analysis

Authors
  • Carmen Moret-Tatay

    The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

  • María José Beneyto-Arrojo

    The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

  • Sonsoles Cabrera Laborde-Bois

    The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

  • David Martínez-Rubio

    The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

  • Nuria Senent-Capuz

    The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

Keywords:
Bayesian network model, gender, coping, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, mental health, university students, social psychology, social behavior
Abstract

We examined the relationships among gender, coping, and mental health in terms of probabilities. We selected a sample of university students (N = 131) aged between 18 and 32 years, and used the GHQ-28 and COPE instruments for analysis. The Bayesian network model that we constructed showed higher probabilities of symptoms of mental health problems for emotion-focused coping than for problem-focused coping. No differences were found regarding gender. This suggests that the use of problem-focused coping is more recommendable for both male and female university students, and it may also provide some benefits in terms of treatment of symptoms of mental health problems. However, to further verify our findings more research is necessary.

Author Biographies
  1. Carmen Moret-Tatay, The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

    Department of Neuropsychobiology, Social Psychology Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences

  2. María José Beneyto-Arrojo, The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

    Department of Neuropsychobiology, Social Psychology Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences

  3. Sonsoles Cabrera Laborde-Bois, The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

    Department of Neuropsychobiology, Social Psychology Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences

  4. David Martínez-Rubio, The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

    Department of Neuropsychobiology, Social Psychology Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences

  5. Nuria Senent-Capuz, The Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”

    Department of Neuropsychobiology, Social Psychology Methodology, Faculty of Psychology, School of Educational Sciences

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Published
2015-12-12
Section
Articles
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