The document summarizes a study that examined gender differences in coping strategies for dealing with interpersonal conflicts and the link between coping strategies and cognitive interference. The study analyzed daily interview responses from 110 participants (59% women) over 14 days where they reported irritating social situations and their coping approaches. The results showed: 1) Men and women most commonly used constructive/positive coping strategies, with no significant gender differences in strategy use. 2) Coping strategies had varying effects on cognitive interference between genders - men reported more interference with indirect positive strategies while women reported more with direct positive strategies. 3) The study provides insights into how gender influences coping and well-being, which coping approaches are most beneficial, and directions

1. Gender Differences in Interpersonal Conflict and Coping Strategies
Kira Birditt, Ph.D, & Stephanie Lake
Abstract
How people cope with interpersonal problems may differentially affect well-being and these links may vary
by gender. One important aspect of well-being includes cognitive interference, which is defined as the
unwanted and disturbing thoughts that intrude on a person’s life. The goal of this project is to examine the
ways that people cope with everyday interpersonal problems, to examine links between coping strategies and
cognitive interference, and to examine the role of gender in these links. The data that I analyzed are from the
Daily Health, Stress, and Relationships study which includes 110 participants (ages 40 through 95; 59%
Women). Participants were interviewed daily for a total of 14 days about irritating and potentially irritating
interpersonal situations they had encountered, and the coping strategies they used to deal with them. I will
specifically analyze whether the coping strategies vary by gender with crosstabs, and whether coping
strategies are linked with cognitive interference with ANOVAs. This information will give further insight on
how gender influences coping strategies and the implications of coping strategies for well-being. This
research will provide evidence regarding which strategies may be more beneficial or harmful for well-being,
and will benefit the well being of men and women by helping them use these healthier coping strategies.
Background
A great deal of research shows gender differences in daily stress and reactions to interpersonal tensions:
• Women report more negative and less positive relations than do men(Antonucci, 2001;
Fingerman, Hay, & Birditt, 2004).
• Women report more negative reactions and poorer well being in response to interpersonal
tensions (Almeida & Kessler, 1998).
• Women are more likely to ruminate about interpersonal problems, which leads to more
stress than men (Antonucci, 2001; Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 1999).
• Women, compared with men, were more likely to use avoidance and problem-reappraisal
coping, whereas there were no gender differences in active problem-solving coping (Long,
1990).
• The main strategies people use to deal with interpersonal conflict, include indirect, direct,
positive, and negative methods of coping (Birditt, Fingerman & Almeida, 2005).
• These coping strategies may be differentially linked with cognitive interference (i.e.,
unwanted and disturbing thoughts that intrude on a person’s life).
• Examining coping strategies and their links with cognitive interference may provide insights
regarding gender differences in reactions to interpersonal tensions.
There is little understanding of:
• Gender differences in coping strategies used in middle age and later life.
• Implications of coping strategies for cognitive interference.
Thus, the present study examined:
• The ways that men and women cope with interpersonal conflict, whether coping strategies
are linked with cognitive interference, and the role of gender in these links.
References
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Psychosocial moderators of emotional reactivity to marital arguments:
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Birditt, K. S., Fingerman, K. L., & Almeida, D. M. (2005). Age Differences in
Exposure and Reactions to Interpersonal Tensions: A Daily Diary
Study. Psychology And Aging, 20(2), 330-340. doi:10.1037/0882-
7974.20.2.330.
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battles? Age group differences in descriptions of behavioral reactions to
interpersonal tensions. The journals of gerontology Series B
Psychological sciences and social sciences, 60(3), P121-P128.
Retrieved from http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/conte nt/
60/3/P121.abstract.
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don’t say anything at all’: Coping with interpersonal tensions in the
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95216006.
Fingerman, K. L., Hay, E. L., & Birditt, K. S. (2004). The best of ties, the worst
of ties: Close, problematic and ambivalent social relationships. J
ournal of Marriage and Family, 66, 792–808.
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Research Question 2: Are coping strategies linked with cognitive interference, and do they vary by gender?
Research Question 1: Do coping strategies vary by gender?
Method
• 110 participants (ages 40 through 95) completed daily interviews
•The daily study took place over the span of 14 days, and participants reported both irritating and potentially
irritating situations they experienced, and the ways in which they coped with them
•This study consisted of 59% women; and 41% men
•The Daily interviews were coded for coping strategies research assistants, by considering the subject’s feelings,
the complete description of the interpersonal conflict and how the subject dealt with the situation.
•They coded both potentially irritating and irritating situations, by choosing the best code to match the subjects
coping strategy using the guidelines seen below.
•The codes were divided into four distinct categories including:
1. Direct negative
2. Indirect negative
3. Direct positive
4. Indirect positive
Conclusions
•The most common strategies men and women used were constructive/positive
coping strategies (both indirect and direct).
•Similarly, research regarding retrospective reports of conflict reveal that
constructive/positive strategies are most common
•Surprisingly, despite the research indicating that women are more distressed by
problems than are men, there were no gender differences in the types of coping
strategies reported.
•The effects of coping strategies on cognitive interference varied by gender.
•Men reported greater cognitive interference on days in which they used indirect
positive strategies.
•Women report somewhat greater cognitive interference on days in which they
used direct positive coping strategies.
•Thus, even though these are theoretically more ‘beneficial’ coping strategies,
they may have harmful effects on individuals’ daily functioning.
•Men may ruminate more about problems they have avoided whereas women
may ruminate more about problems they have confronted.
Future Research Directions
•Examine gender differences in rumination as a function of coping strategies
•Identify links among coping strategies and other dimensions of well-being such as
physical and mental health.
•Assess age differences in coping strategies used to deal with interpersonal
conflicts and their links with cognitive interference.
Research Objectives
1. To examine the ways that men and women cope with everyday interpersonal problems.
2. To determine whether coping strategies are linked with cognitive interference and the role of gender in
these links.
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
No indirect pos Yes indirect pos
Men
Women
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
No direct pos Yes direct pos
Men
Women
Women
Indirect negative
Indirect positve
Direct positive
Direct Negative
Men
Indirect negative
Indirect positve
Direct positive
Direct Negative
•Men and women similarily reported
greater cognitive interference on days
in which they used direct positive
coping strategies.
•However, women report somewhat
greater cognitive interference on days
in which they used direct positive
coping strategies.
Crosstabs with chi-square tests
revealed that that there were no
gender differences in coping
strategies between men and
women.
The most common strategies
used were constructive coping
strategies (both indirect and
direct positive).
•ANOVAs revealed that the effects
of coping strategies on cognitive
interference varied by gender.
•Men reported greater cognitive
interference on days in which they
used indirect positive strategies.
•Whereas, there was no effect of
indirect positive strategies on
cognitive interference among
women.
Direct, Negative
1.Yell, name calling, give the
finger, dirty look, eye rolls,
etc.
2.Argue, nagging,
complaining
3.Physical aggression
4.End Relationship
Indirect, Negative
5.Leave/walk away/hang up
the phone
6.Avoid situation(e.g., not
going to a party)
7.Ignore person(pretend a
person does not exist)-when
the person is there
8.Drug and alcohol abuse
Direct, Positive
11.Discuss problems
12.Talk to someone else
about the problem
13.Ask to stop, change
behavior, or get help
14.Written contact(regarding
problem)
15.Direct solution(e.g., fix
problem, punishment)
Indirect, Positive
16.Do nothing)e.g., remain
calm, let situation blow over)
17.Do something to make
the other person feel better
18.Positive self help
behaviors (e.g., praying,
exercise, taking a break,
meditation
18b.Planning strategies for
the future