Chapter 5 Flashcards
Coping
the process by which people try to manage the perceived discrepancy between the demands and resources they appraise in a stressful situation
2 main functions of coping
- Can alter the problem causing the stress
- Can regulate the emotional response to the problem
3 types of coping
- Emotion-focused coping: aimed at controlling emotional response to stressful situation (both behavioural – ie. Seeking support; and cognitive – ie. Redefining/reframing situation) -> often used when you can do little to change the situation
- Problem-focused coping: aimed at dealing with or reducing the demands of a stressful situation (ex. Switching careers, seeking medical treatment)
- Relationship-focused coping: involves emotion or problem-focused coping intented to maintain social relationships during stress (ie. Compromising; dyadic coping – partners working together to deal with stress)
challenges associated with measuring coping
- Most measures aren’t very accurate in predicting coping
- Most measures are retrospective, and people often struggle to accurately remember how they’ve coped with things in the past
5 specific coping strategies
- Engaging positive emotions: using positivity -> helps balance against feelings of distress
- Finding benefits or meaning: looking for meaning/positive aspect in a stressful event -> less depression and greater feelings of well-being
- Emotional approach: actively processing and expressing feelings -> expression associated with improved self-perceived health, vigor, and less distress (however, processing can lead to more distress -> rumination)
- Accommodating a stressor: adapting to presence of stressor and carrying on with life
- Demand-withdrawal: maladaptive relationship-focused method (one partner confronts, other withdraws) -> can be reduced by emphatic responding, compromise, support provision, and collaboration
research on use and development of coping methods across the lifespan
- People tend to be consistent in the way they cope with a particular type of stressor
- People seldom use just one method to cope with a stressor
- Methods people use to cope with short-term stress may be different from long-term stress
- Genetic influence in coping styles
- As kids age, they use cognitive coping strategies, then emotional coping methods; middle-aged people use more problem-solving coping; elderly people use more emotion-focused
role of personality, gender, and socio-cultural context in coping
- Coping is not a personality trait (not stable over time), but neurotic people engage in less-effective coping strategies, and other Big 5 traits engage in adaptive coping strategies
- Men more likely to use problem-focused coping, women emotion-focused (but if they have similar education and occupation, few differences)
- People with higher incomes and education levels use more problem-focused coping (poorer people don’t believe they have control)
- Being religious/spiritual can have positive impact on coping/health (better able to reappraise/find meaning)
how can social support be enhanced to reduce stress?
Joining community organizations, using community programs like rec facilities and social events
how can personal control be enhanced to reduce stress?
- Parents, teachers, etc. Can show a child love/respect, praise accomplishments, and set reasonable standards
- nursing homes can allow people more responsibilities like cooking and cleaning -> gives people sense of control over their lives
how can assertiveness manage stress?
Being assertive (expressing opinions directly without insulting other person) is a good interpersonal strategy to reduce stress
3 elements of time management
- setting attainable goals
- making daily to-do lists
- setting a daily schedule and allocating time for each item on the list
- doing all of these things reduces stress
how can exercise manage stress?
People who exercise show less reactivity to stressors and are less likely to be hypertensive; may help prevent people from developing stress-related illnesses
how can preparing for stress reduce stress?
- Preparing for stressful events can reduce potential for stress – ie. Taking kid to meet new daycare teacher before they officially start; preparing surgery patients by giving them feelings of control (ie. Rehabilitation exercises, focusing on positive aspects of surgery, giving lots of information)
- However, too much information can overwhelm people (especially kids) and cause more stress
stress management
program of behavioural and cognitive techniques designed to reduce psychological and physical reactions to stress
4 techniques of stress management
- medication
- behavioural methods
- cognitive methods
- massage, meditation, relaxation, and hypnosis
