Keywords
coping, distress, Polynesian Americans
Abstract
Previous research has shown that psychological services designed to assist clients in coping with stressful or traumatic events are more effective when aligned with clients’ cultural values, practices, and worldviews. However, limited research is available regarding the preferred coping strategies of Polynesian Americans. In examining collectivistic coping styles and their association with previous distress among 94 Polynesian Americans, we found that participants were highly likely to use family support and religion/spirituality to buffer the initial and residual effects of impairment attributable to distressing events, and private emotional outlets, such as psychotherapy, very infrequently. The use of private emotional outlets was associated with lower impairment from distress, although family support was much more predictive of lower impairment and positive psychological well-being. Mental health professionals can align their services with the cultural values of Polynesian Americans by accounting for collectivistic coping styles and family dynamics.
Original Publication Citation
Allen, G. E., & Smith, T. B. (2015). Collectivistic coping strategies for distress among Polynesian Americans. Psychological Services, 12(3), 322-329.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Allen, G. E. Kawika and Smith, Timothy B., "Collectivistic coping strategies for distress among Polynesian Americans" (2015). Faculty Publications. 2031.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/2031
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2015-06-08
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3986
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Language
English
College
David O. McKay School of Education
Department
Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Copyright Status
© 2015 American Psychological Association. The final version of this article can be found here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000039.
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/