The potential impact of perceived personal control on coping with a medical threat was investigated in genetic counseling, a clinical setting where issues of personal control are central. Data were collected from 72 counselees at a genetic clinic before, immediately after, and 1 month after initiating genetic counseling. Findings supported the hypothesized mediating model. Higher perceived control (cognitive‐interpretive and decisional) and satisfaction with genetic counseling mediated between genetic counseling and the use of less emotion‐focused coping strategies. Problem‐focused coping was predicted only directly by counselees' knowledge of their problem after genetic counseling. Changes in emotion‐focused coping were related to perceived increases in positive affect 1 month later, while changes in use of problem‐focused coping were related to perceived decreases in both positive and negative affect.

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