MAINTAINING BALANCE IN LIFE: ACTION ORIENTATION AS A BUFFER AGAINST LIFE STRESS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the moderation effect of affective coping (i.e., action vs. state orientation) on the relationship between life stress and life balance (i.e., the appropriate proportion of time spent in major life domains). It was hypothesized that affective coping buffers the negative impact of life stress on balancing life activities. A hundred and thirty-six persons participated in the study. Consistent with expectations, action oriented individuals were able to maintain their balance as stress increased. State oriented individuals benefited in pleasant (low stress) situations. Under high stress, however, they lost their balance. In sum, action orientation ameliorated the negative impact of stress on balancing life activities.