The two-factor structure of future-oriented coping and its mediating role in student engagement

The objectives of the current studies are to explore the factor structure of future-oriented coping and its mediating role in student engagement. In study 1, 254 college students completed the Future-Oriented Coping Inventory, Self- rating Depression Scale, and the Optimism-Pessimism dimension of the Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory. In study 2, 171 college students completed the Future-Oriented Coping Inventory, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Version, and the Stress Perception Indicator. Results indicated a clear 2-factor structure of future-oriented coping: proactive coping and preventive coping. Compared to preventive coping, proactive coping had significantly higher correlations with depression and optimism. Proactive coping fully mediated the relationship between stress and engagement whereas preventive coping partially mediated this relationship.