Personality as a Predictive Factor of Coping Styles: Contextualizing “Successful” Coping among Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence

Abstract

Past research has explored personality traits as predictive factors of coping with general and task-induced stress. Personality traits have not been explored as predictive factors of coping with gendered violence. Ten clients at a women’s crisis service completed surveys that consisted of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the revised Ways of Coping Checklist, and a demographics form. Results indicated that extroverts, sensors and thinkers used engagement coping strategies and introverts, intuitors and feelers used disengagement coping strategies. The present study should be replicated with a larger sample size. Pending replication, the results could improve counseling for survivors of gendered violence.