Research Paper
The International Journal of Indian Psychology
ISSN 2348-5396 (Online) | ISSN: 2349-3429 (Print)
Volume 10, Issue 1, January- March, 2022
DIP: 18.01.055.20221001, DOI: 10.25215/1001.055
https://www.ijip.in
© 2022, Kashyap R. S., Basavarajappa, SK Kiran Kumar & Sahithya B.R.; licensee IJIP. This is an Open Access
Research distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any Medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Triguna and Coping Style: A Quantitative Cross-sectional Study
to Bridge the Gap between Vedic Concept of Personality and
Western Psychology
Mr. Rithvik S Kashyap
1
*, Dr. Basavarajappa
2
, Dr. SK Kiran Kumar
3
, Dr.
Sahithya B.R.
4
ABSTRACT
Background: Indian philosophy often refer to Triguna as the key element which determines
personality. Personality is the chief determinant of individual coping styles. Coping is primarily
a cognitive act; which is determined by the preponderant guna (personality trait) in the
individual. The aim of the present study is to find the influence of Triguna on the way
individuals copes with stressful life situations. Method: The study was cross sectional, using
convenience and snowball sampling technique to recruit the samples. The participants were
given Sociodemographic datasheet, Triguna Questionnaire – revised version and Coping
Orientation for Problem Experiences Inventory, and were requested to complete it. Inclusion
criteria laid for the study: English speaking males and females, 18 to 40 years, and living in
Mysore, India. Individuals with diagnosed past history of mental disorders were excluded from
the study. A total of 121 individuals filled in the questionnaires. Results: The sample consisted
61 males and 60 females, with the mean age 22.83±4.68 years, had graduate education (60%),
and were currently in college (74%). Sattvic personality was positively associated with active
coping (b = 0. .321, p<.001) and planning (b=2.657, p=.009). The Rajasic personality was
positively associated with denial (b=.287, p=.001) and focus on venting of emotions (b=.174,
p=.048), and negatively with instrumental social support (b=-.226, p=.012). The Tamasic
personality was positively associated with substance use (b=.264, p=.002), denial (b=.249,
p=.004), focus on venting of emotions (b=.288, p<.001), and behaviour disengagement
(b=.165, p=.050), and negatively with active coping (b=-.165, p=.040). Conclusion: The
results offer preliminary data-based insight into the influence of Triguna on individual coping
styles. The findings could be useful for the indigenous psychology researchers who are
interested in cross-cultural implications of eastern spiritual concepts.
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, JSS Medical College & Hospital, Mysuru, India
2
Former professor, Department of studies in Psychology, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
3
Former professor, Department of studies in Psychology, University of Mysore, Mysuru, India
4
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi,
Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author
Received: December 01, 2021; Revision Received: February 07, 2022; Accepted: February 28, 2022