Citation

Hock M, Krohne HW. Anxiety Research 1991; 4(4): 275-286.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08917779208248796

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The ?model of coping modes? distinguishes four dispositionally determined patterns of behavior (coping modes) which become apparent in stressful situations: repression, sensitization, nondefensiveness, and high anxiety. Following from this model, the present study is aimed at assessing associations between coping modes and children's looking behavior towards their mothers in a moderately stress-inducing laboratory setting. The visual exchange of 63 mothers and their eight- to 14-year-old children was observed during a ten-minute planning period for a Punch and Judy show which the child had to later perform. A close visual orientation toward the mother was registered for sensitizers. While repressers showed a heightened frequency of gazes at their mothers, their total time of looking was comparatively short. In high-anxious children, frequency of gazes as well as total time of looking were low.