International relocation: Womens’ coping methods

This article focuses on how corporate and military wives cope with international relocation. Specifically, the coping behaviors of women who exhibited signs of depression and anxiety and those women who did not in a convenience sample of 28 military and corporate women were studied. Six instruments were used: (a) the Relocation Survey, (b) the Beck Depression Inventory, (c) the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, (d) the CAGE Questionnaire, (e) the Sarason Life Experience Survey, and (f) the Coping Questionnaire. Coping and adaption formed the conceptual framework. The findings revealed that women who coped well used active coping behaviors and women who coped poorly used more passive coping behaviors. This study offers some direction for health care providers who may use anticipatory guidance and counseling for women prior to international moves.