Abstract
Depression is linked to poor coping in response to stress. The efficacy of coping strategies can vary based on the circumstances in which they are used. Appraised controllability of a stressor is an important factor in determining how adaptive a coping process is. Previous research suggests that depression may be related to using less problem-focused coping in controllable situations. Furthermore, learned helplessness may cause individuals to accept, rather than attempt to change, controllable stressors. We hypothesized that 1) planning would be associated with fewer depression symptoms when stress is perceived as relatively controllable and more depression when stress is increasingly uncontrollable, and 2) acceptance would relate to more depression when stress is perceived as relatively controllable and fewer depression symptoms when stress is increasingly uncontrollable. We additionally examined the relation between depression and the interaction between reappraisal and stress controllability. We tested these hypotheses in a cross-sectional study of 155 undergraduate students. Results did not support the hypotheses; however, as expected, planning and stress uncontrollability were associated with depression. Planning may be adaptive across all levels of appraised controllability and might be used to make stress seem more controllable. Acceptance and reappraisal were not associated with depression regardless of controllability, suggesting that these may not be particularly adaptive or maladaptive strategies. These results suggest the importance of coping and controllability appraisals in depression risk and may serve as an important basis for future research.