Self-Handicapping as a Coping Strategy: Approaches to Conceptualization

Authors

  • Dina Nosenko Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University
  • Iryna Arshava Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
  • Eleonora Nosenko Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.13.205

Keywords:

Proactive coping behavior, constructive and non-constructive, proactive coping, preventive coping, anticipatory coping, self-handicapping.

Abstract

Self –handicapping has been conceptualized by the majority of the authors as a motivational strategy reflecting the efforts of the individual who anticipates failure in dealing with some significant  goal-oriented activity to defend one’s sensitive ego.The objective of this research was to substantiate a conceptualization of self-handicapping as a maladaptive proactive coping strategy that opposes  a set of other proactive coping strategies , singled out by now, all of which  result in positive outcomes, such as  preventive, strategic, anticipatory and other forms of constructive proactive coping. Using the statistical methods of  correlation and factor analysis, it was found  on a sample of 135 university undergraduates, that  the personality precursors of  self-handicapping and adaptive forms of proactive coping  appeared to be orthogonal. While self –handicapping is determined  by the high level of  neuroticism, low level of ego-involvement (strive to self-evolution), low ego-identity (belief in self-efficacy), the proactiive adaptive coping strategies  have shown strong positive correlations with  ego-identity (self- esteem, belief in self-efficacy) and ego-involvement, and negative correlation with neuroticism. This proves that self-handicapping  complements the system of proactive forms of coping strategies .

Author Biographies

Dina Nosenko, Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University

Ph D student, Department of General and Medical Psychology, Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National university

Iryna Arshava, Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine

Dr., Prof., Chairperson of the Department of General and Medical Psychology

 

Eleonora Nosenko, Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine

Dr., Prof., Chairperson of the Department of Educational and Developmental Psychology,

 

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Published

2014-05-15

How to Cite

Nosenko, D., Arshava, I., & Nosenko, E. (2014). Self-Handicapping as a Coping Strategy: Approaches to Conceptualization. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 1(3), 166. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.13.205