Individual Differences in the Effects of Interpersonal Stress Coping——Focusing on Fear of Negative Evaluation

Abstract

This study examined the moderating effects of fear of negative evaluation (a personality variable) on the relationships between interpersonal stress coping and mental health problems among adolescents. Participants were 277 undergraduate and graduate students. They completed the Interpersonal Stress Coping Scale (constructive, distancing, and reassessing coping), measures of mental health problems (depression and loneliness), and an individual difference measure of fear of negative evaluation. Constructive coping was marginally and positively related to depression only among people with low levels of fear of negative evaluation. Results also indicated that constructive coping was marginally and negatively correlated with loneliness only among people with high levels of fear of negative evaluation.