Self-coping complexity: role of self-construal in relational, individual and collective coping styles and health outcomes

Using a tripartite relational (R), individual (I) and collective (C) framework, three studies explored the health benefits of self-coping complexity (SCC). Study 1 (N = 333) developed and validated RIC coping scales. Study 2 (N = 346) identified two clusters of Australians, those with an expansive pattern of multiple self-aspects and coping styles, and those with a more restricted self-coping pattern. Both clusters reported similar stress, but the expansive high SCC cluster reported greater well-being. A culturally diverse sample (N = 225) in Study 3 yielded the expected high SCC RIC self-coping cluster, plus interdependent RC and independent I clusters. Cluster membership was not associated with culture or gender in these studies, but greater SCC did confer a health advantage to men and women from both Eastern and Western cultures