Affiliation, achievement and life events: Contributors to stress appraisals in college men and women

Abstract This study examined the importance of affiliation and achievement matched with particular types of stressful events in relation to appraisal. The purpose of this study was to test Bernstein's (1987) hypothesis that certain central issues high in importance interacting with relevant events predict appraisal. Based on the development tasks and transitions of traditional college youth, 68 undergraduates participated in the study. The analyses showed significant main and interactive effects. Results suggest that the importance of affiliation and congruent events may constitute a vulnerability factor whereas, achievement and congruent events may not. More college men than college women reported achievement-related events. In contrast, more women than men reported interpersonally-related events. Both men and women gave the importance of affiliation and achievement similar moderate to high ratings. The results are discussed in terms of support for the model of centrality which integrates cognitive processes and stressful life events models.