Abstract

This study, undertaken with a 242 2nd-grade high school students(123 men and 119 women), examined the effect of optimism levels(high vs. low) and controllability of the situation on their perceived control and three types of coping strategies(problem approach coping, avoidance coping, and positive reframing). A 2x2 MANOVA results revealed two significant main effects for optimism and controllability but their interaction effect was not significant. More specifically, students in the high optimism group, compared to the low optimism group, showed a significantly high score on perceived control, problem approach coping and positive reframing, but not on avoidance coping. In addition, students in the controllable situation, compared to the uncontrollable situation, revealed a significantly high score on perceived control, problem approach coping, and positive reframing, and a significantly low score on avoidance coping. Study implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research were provided.