Chapter 3 E

Question 1

Effective stress coping

Answer 1

To effectively cope with different stressors, an individual must be able to assess the needs of each stressor and respond accordingly. Two components of effective coping include the ability to exhibit context-specific effectiveness and coping flexibility.

Some coping mechanisms help to directly confront or reduce the source of stress, while others help manage emotions associated with particular stressors. These strategies not only reduce stress, but are also vital to improving overall individual mental wellbeing,

Question 2

Mental well-being

Answer 2

mental wellbeing, which includes an individual’s current state of mind, including their ability to think, process information, and regulate emotions effectively.

Question 3

Content specific effectiveness

Answer 3

Context-specific effectiveness refers to when the coping strategy or mechanism used is appropriate for the unique demands of the stressor. In other words, the effectiveness of a particular strategy depends upon where and when it is used. A strategy that demonstrates context-specific effectiveness ensures that there is a good balance or ‘fit’ between the coping strategy used and the specific situation of the individual.

Question 4

What to consider in content specific effectiveness

Answer 4

This is taking into account their relative situations and individual characteristics.

Question 5

Can the same person use different coping strategies

Answer 5

Yes

In some cases, a singular person may need to use different coping strategies to address a similar stressor in different situations or at different times. For example, a high-school student may be balancing their studies, a part-time job, after-school activities, and family commitments, causing homework to become a stressor. Table 2 outlines how this stressor may be dealt with in different ways (by the same person) according to the unique context it is experienced in.

Question 6

Content specific effectiveness coping strategy example

Answer 6

For example, if the source of stress
is an upcoming psychology SAC on the topic of the central nervous system, the specific context of each student will differ. Therefore, the most effective coping strategy will be different for
a student that has already studied the content, compared to one who has not.

Question 7

Complex flexibility

Answer 7

an individual’s ability
to adjust or change
their coping strategies depending on the unique and changing demands of a stressor. Like being sick and needing to reschedule a sac earlier

Question 8

What does high level of coping flexibility do

Answer 8

Having high levels of coping flexibility ensures that an individual can achieve context-specific effectiveness, and leads to greater levels of general wellbeing as individuals are able to adjust their approach to many different situations.

Question 9

Coping strategies

Answer 9

Coping strategies are the ways that people deal with stress. You will learn about two different
categories of coping strategies: approach strategies and avoidance strategies.
Theory details
There are two different coping strategies that you will learn about in this lesson:
• approach strategies
• avoidance strategies.

Question 10

Approach strategies

Answer 10

Approach strategies are coping strategies that directly confront the source of the stress and thus reduce or eliminate it. These strategies generally deal with stress in a practical way. For example, studying for a psychology SAC directly deals with the stressor by equipping
an individual with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete it.

Question 11

Avoidance strategies

Answer 11

Avoidance strategies are coping strategies that involve evading or distancing oneself from the source of stress. These strategies often deal with the more emotional components of stress, channelling thoughts and behaviour away from the stressor.

Question 12

Avoidance coping strategies

Answer 12

Denial
• Wishful thinking
• Re-evaluation
• Substance abuse
• Venting emotions
• Distraction
• Sleeping and eating

Question 13

Approach coping strategies

Answer 13

Making a list of pros and cons
• Seeking professional advice or counselling
and implementing strategies
• Making a plan and executing it
• Making a list of ways to approach the
stressful situation

Question 14

Tip

Answer 14

While avoidance strategies do not directly confront the source of stress, this does not mean that they are necessarily less effective. Depending on the type of stressor, avoidance coping might be more appropriate than approach coping. For example, if an individual is dealing with the death of
a friend but also has an upcoming exam, distraction might be temporarily necessary during such an emotionally difficult time; hanging out with friends (an avoidance strategy) in order to improve mood and work towards studying at a later point (an approach strategy) may be the best plan. When evaluating coping strategies in exam questions, make sure you take into account the specific context and needs of the individual.

Question 15

Connection to 3c

Answer 15

In lesson 3C Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, you learnt about secondary appraisal, in which individuals evaluate the coping resources required and available to deal with a particular stressor. In this lesson, you will learn more about what effective coping looks like and how people can use these strategies to improve their stress levels and general wellbeing.