Decision-theoretic aspects of stress arousal and coping propensity

Scenario descriptor and laboratory studies evaluated a decision-theoretic model of stress arousal and coping propensity composed of 2 stress expectancies; namely, expected stress given engagement in coping activity and expected stress given nonengagement in coping activity. The model predicted (a) that coping propensity would vary inversely with the ratio of the first stress expectancy to the second and (b) that stress arousal would vary with the lesser of the 2 stress expectancies. It was also predicted that the smallest stress expectancy would dictate coping activity and that the proximity of the stress expectancies would engender stressing response conflict. Results supported the first hypothesis when differences in ratio values were salient. The second hypothesis also was supported, but in the scenario descriptor study only. Proximity of stress expectancies as sources of stress arousal received little or no support.