Ethnic group and gender differences in the relationship between personality and coping

Abstract

Personality and coping responses, as well as the relationship between them, were examined among 259 European American, 147 Asian American and 105 Latino American college students. Using models of cultural differences in individualism-collectivism (Triandis, 1989) and self-construal (Markus&Kitayama, 1991), predictions about ethnic group differences were tested. European Americans showed higher scores on agreeableness and extraversion as well as lower avoidance coping scores than the two minority groups. Gender differences also occurred, as females scored higher than males on agreeableness and extraversion. Females coped by seeking social support more than males did. Ethnic group differences in personality-coping relationships were rare. Gender differences in the relationship between coping and personality occurred for females only, with neuroticism being positively related while agreeableness was inversely associated with avoidance. The results demonstrate the need to evaluate ethnicity and gender as factors affecting personality and coping responses.