Title

Self‐change of psychological distress: Laypersons' vs. psychologists' coping strategies

Authors

John C. Norcross, The University of Scranton
James O. Prochaska, University of Rhode Island
Carolo C. Diclemente, University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

1-1-1986

Abstract

This study investigated the change processes that laypersons (N = 270) and psychologists (N = 158) reported using to overcome psychological distress. Eighty‐nine percent of the community sample and 82% of the professional sample experienced at least one episode of distress. Interpersonal relationships and willpower strategies were employed commonly in both samples; medication was used infrequently. Gender, education, and previous treatment were related to coping processes among laypersons. A comparative analysis indicated that, relative to laypersons, psychologists exhibited a larger and more varied repertoire of coping strategies. Copyright © 1986 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Clinical Psychology

Volume

42

Issue

5

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Norcross, John C., James O. Prochaska, and Carolo C. Diclemente. "Self‐change of psychological distress: Laypersons' vs. psychologists' coping strategies." Journal of Clinical Psychology 42, 5 (1986): 834-840. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(198609)42:5<834::AID-JCLP2270420527>3.0.CO;2-A.