4E - Strategies For Coping

Question 1

Coping

Answer 1

• All the things we do to manage and reduce the stress we experience because of problems in our lives
• It is an attempt to manage the demands of a stressor in an effective way

Question 2

Coping Strategy

Answer 2

• A specific method that we use to manage or reduce stress caused by a stressor
• Whether the strategy works or not is influenced by-
  
  • Coping flexibility
  • Context-specific effectiveness

Question 3

Context-Specific Effectiveness

Answer 3

• An assessment of whether a strategy matches or is appropriate for a stressful situation
• For a coping strategy to be successful, it must match the specific demands of the stressor and be suited to the relevant personal characteristics of the individual involved

Question 4

Coping Flexibility

Answer 4

• Is our ability to modify our coping strategies to meet the demands of different stressful situations
• It is our ability to relinquish an ineffective coping strategy and to devise and implement an alternative, more effective strategy

Question 5

Individuals With High Coping Flexibility…

Answer 5

• Quickly recognise and adjust if strategies are ineffective
• Tend to use a wider variety of strategies across situations, and match the strategies to the demands of the situation

Question 6

Individuals With Low Coping Flexibility…

Answer 6

• Tend to rely on the same, limited coping strategies across different situations, and persist with them even when they know it is ineffective
• They are not flexible and are predictable

Question 7

Context-Specific Effectiveness + Coping Flexibility

Answer 7

= our ability to cope with stress and success of the strategies we use is influenced by a combination of these factors

Question 8

Approach Vs Avoidance

Answer 8

The aim of both of these is to reduce stress levels and increase the ability to cope, but they way they do that is different

Question 9

Approach Strategies

Answer 9

Involve confronting the stressor directly

Question 10

Approach Strategies Benefits

Answer 10

• Generally considered to be more adaptive and effective
• People who rely on approach strategies to cope with stressors tend to experience fewer psychological symptoms and they are able to function effectively

Question 11

Approach Strategies Limitations

Answer 11

• Short-term stress levels may increase while the individual is directly engaged with the stressor i.e. acute stress
• May require lots of energy and focus

Question 12

Avoidance Strategies

Answer 12

Involve evading a stressor and dealing with it indirectly

Question 13

Avoidance Strategies Benefits

Answer 13

• It allows for conservation of energy to focus on other stressor that can be changed
• Can relieve stress in the short term
• Disengagement might be appropriate in a situation where nothing can be done

Question 14

Avoidance Strategies Limitations

Answer 14

• Tend to be maladaptive
• Excessive reliance tends to have a negative consequence i.e chronic stress