Chapter 3E Flashcards
coping with stress
coping
Coping refers to a process involving cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific internal/external stressors that are appraised as exceeding the resources of the individual.
coping stratergy
A coping strategy is a specific method (behavioural or psychological) that people use to manage or reduce
stress produced by a stressor.
* Coping strategies include:
* Context-specific effectiveness
* Coping flexibility
* Approach strategies
* Avoidance strategies
context specific effectiveness
Context-specific effectiveness: when there is a match between the coping
strategy that is used and the stressful situation.
* Rather than using a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, we consider the unique
demands of a stressor in our own situation, and find the “best fit
coping flexibility
Coping flexibility: an individual’s ability to
ADAPT effectively to a range of stressful
situations.
Includes the abilities to:
o Recognise that a flexible coping approach is
appropriate for a specific situation
o Select a coping strategy that suits the
situation
o Recognise if a coping strategy is ineffective
o Stop an ineffective coping strategy
o Produce and implement an alternative
coping strategy when required (reappraisal)
approach stratergies
refers to strategies that directly deal with a stressor and addresses the underlying problem therefore alleviating stress
avoidance strategies
refers to strategies that evade and indirectly deal with stress and show no attempt to confront the underlying cause of the stressor
appraoch strategies examples
- Seeking information and support (e.g. talking to a teacher or school counsellor)
- Taking action (e.g. meditating to alleviate stress before and after studying each night)
- Time management (creating a study routine and to-do list)
- Reframing (e.g. treating the exam as a fun challenge rather than a scary stressor)
avoidance strategies examples
- Wishful thinking (e.g. hoping that the exam will be easy even if you don’t study)
- Denial (e.g. telling yourself you don’t even care about the exam)
- Procrastination/distraction (e.g. scrolling TikTok instead of studying)
- Venting emotions (e.g. going for a run and talking with a friend to unwind)