An exploratory study of the relationship between family daily hassles and family coping and managing strategies

Despite many years of stress and coping research, little is known about how ordinary families cope with daily microstressors and manage their lives. The present study examined the relationship between three dimensions of family daily hassles: time and energy involvement, positive and negative influences, and family resources, coping, and managing strategies. The authors studied families with elementary-school-aged children from a midsized, Southern city in the United States. The sample consisted of 255 mothers (51% African American) and 128 fathers (62% White). The findings of the study indicated that the dimensions of family daily hassles are distinct and are associated with both family coping and managing strategies; however, more research is needed in this area.