Sociotropy and autonomy as vulnerabilities to specific life events: Issues in life event categorization

This study examined the relations between sociotropy, autonomy, and stress severity ratings for hypothetical life events that were objectively categorized as interpersonal or achievement-related in focus. The hypothesis that sociotropy and autonomy serve as vulnerability factors to dysphoria in the presence of life stress that matches the theme of the vulnerability was also examined in 6-week and 12-week follow-up evaluations. Results provided only partial support for the predicted relations among sociotropy, autonomy, and perceived stress severity ratings of interpersonal and achievement-related events. Longitudinal results failed to support the hypothesis that sociotropy and autonomy serve as vulnerability factors for matching interpersonal and achievement-related stress. It was concluded that objectively categorizing life events as interpersonal or achievement-related is problematic given that the meaning of life events can vary across individuals, and that these meanings are likely ilo vary partly as a function of sociotropy and autonomy.