Profiles of Response to Life Changes: Situation Perception and Coping Strategies

This study uses latent profiles analysis to identify types of responses to life changes. We had two goals: 1) to define profiles depending on the combination of strategies for responding to a situation of change; 2) to identify differences in the perception of a situation of change among people with different profiles. Latent profiles were identified based on scales of the questionnaire “Types of Response to a Situation of Change” (TRSC); perception of a situation of change was determined based on content analysis of qualitative data. The study involved 216 people from different cities of Russia (ages 17–55; Mage = 28.5 ± 9.8). Three profiles of res ponse to a situation of change were identified: 1) acceptance of changes; 2) am bi valent profile; 3) rejection of chan ges. The change rejection profile is characterized by a negative attitude towards change, and coping by withdrawing from the situation. The change acceptance profile is defined by a positive attitude towards change and a feeling of emotional uplift. The ambivalent profile is characterized by a large repertoire of coping methods associated with finding positive meanings in a situation of change and intense activity in analyzing experience, which allows the subject to accept changes. This is combined with avoidance coping, which helps to relieve emotional stress. The results are discussed in the context of the theme of this issue: general personology. We analyze ways to apply the obtained knowledge about the types of response to change, in the consultative practice of a psychologist.