Abstract

IMPACT OF SATTVA, RAJAS AND TAMAS FACTORS ON COPING STRATEGIES AMONG WOMEN

*Dr. Nishi Arora

Abstract

The most common approach to define personality has been in terms of characteristics or qualities within a person. A three dimensional personality theory based on the Sankhya school of Hindu philosophy postulates human personality in terms of three gunas or factors namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas (SRT). This preliminary exploratory study assessed SRT factors and coping strategies among women. Thirty working women were compared with thirty non-working women (total sample – sixty respondent) on measures of VPI and CPI (both are standarised questionnaires measured on 7 and 5 point likert scale respectively). The findings suggested that predominant coping strategies in sattvik women were problem solving and cognitive restricting. In working women these were equally preferred. In non-working women problem solving was the predominant strategies over cognitive restructuring. In Rajas women the Predominant coping strategies was cognitive restructuring in working it was the only predominant strategies while in non-working it was cognitive restructuring over problem solving. No strategies predominantly used by Tamasik women in neither of the categories. However self-criticism and problem avoidance could be noticed in these women.

Keywords: Sattva, rajas, tamas, coping strategies, problem solving cognitive restructuring, self-criticism and problem avoidance