Coping consistency and emotional outcome: Intra-individual and inter-individual analyses

A total of 102 Taiwanese students participated in a diary study over 5 weeks. Stressors, coping and emotional outcomes were recorded once a week. Using both intra-individual and inter-individual analyses, we found that: (1) Stressors reported by subjects were diverse, although there were mainly minor daily hassles in nature; (2) the use of both direct coping and suppression was only moderately consistent; (3) reported negative emotions were very stable, and not amenable to coping, positive emotions were less stable, and happinss was affected by coping, after individual differences were controlled. Implications for the person-situation interaction, and the relationship between coping and emotional outcomes are discussed.