Chapter 8 - Understanding Stress and Coping in Context

Question 1

Distal contextual factors

Answer 1

Distal contextual factors: Predisposing processes which shape stressors, resources, coping processes, and outcomes. NOT direct triggers of a problem. May be contextual or personal.

Question 2

Contextual factors

Answer 2

poverty, crime, unemployment, discrimination: racism, sexism, cultural/ religious traditions and practices, public education, public health systems

Question 3

Personal factors

Answer 3

Genetic Factors, personality traits (optimism), chronic illness.

Question 4

Proximal Stressors

Answer 4

Directly trigger or contribute to a problem: Major life events, Life transitions, Daily hassles, Disasters, Vicious Spirals; Note: Some coping resources may also be proximal: Social support

Question 5

Daily hassles

Answer 5

A proximal stressor.

Question 6

Psychological impact of disasters

Answer 6

A proximal stressor.

Question 7

Vicious spirals

Answer 7

A proximal stressor.

Question 8

Life transitions

Answer 8

A proximal stressor.

Question 9

Resources for coping

Answer 9

Individuals activate resources for coping with stressors, often from many ecological levels. Types of resources: Material resources, Social-emotional competencies, Social, cultural, and spiritual resources.

Question 10

Social-emotional competencies

Answer 10

Resources for coping

Question 11

Appraisal:

Answer 11

The process of constructing the meaning of a stressful situation or event. Involves the extent to which the situation is seen as challenging, expected or unexpected, controllable or uncontrollable. Also involves our assessment of our available resources to combat the stressor.

Question 12

Problem-focused

Answer 12

Type of coping. A coping strategy differentiated from others by the presence of ideas designed to decrease or eliminate stressors by generating solutions to a specific problem at hand. Such actions may be directed at the environment or the self. This strategy is also referred to as primary coping.

Question 13

Emotion-focused

Answer 13

Type of coping. Coping strategy focusing on regulating negative emotional reactions to a stressor. See secondary coping. Compare problem focused coping.

Question 14

Meaning-focused

Answer 14

Type of coping. Meaning-focused coping is in its essence, appraisal-based coping in which the person draws on his or her beliefs (e.g., religious, spiritual, or beliefs about justice), values (e.g., ‘‘mattering’’), and existential goals (e.g., purpose in life or guiding principles) to motivate and sustain coping and well-being during a difficult time.

Question 15

Virtuous spiral

Answer 15

resources are increased, successes build on each other and the stressor is transformed into a catalyst for growth.

Question 16

Thriving

Answer 16

grow beyond prior levels.

Question 17

Resilience

Answer 17

adapt, maintain, or recover functioning.

Question 18

Wellness

Answer 18

more than absence of problems; strengths.

Question 19

Empowerment

Answer 19

gaining access to valued resources

Question 20

Main goal of case management

Answer 20

Promote an effective plan.

Question 21

Generalized support

Answer 21

Refers especially to caring and attachment in close personal relationships. Marriage, parent-child relationship, friendship, etc. Can include both actual and perceived support.

Question 22

Results of Maton’s study

Answer 22

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Question 23

Natural Mentor

Answer 23

Sources of informal support in the community. Can occur naturally (e.g., a barber or beautician) or be provided through programs (e.g., Big Brothers/ Big Sisters).

Question 24

Multidimensional

Answer 24

Two or more persons involved do a number of things together and share a number of role relationships.

Question 25

High-density v. Low-density networks

Answer 25

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Question 26

Results of Hirsch’s study

Answer 26

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Question 27

Elements of mutual help groups

Answer 27

Voluntary associations of persons who share a life situation or status that produce challenges for coping in their environments. Different than self-help books; relationships are key to this approach. Can be considered alternative settings formed to address shortcomings in existing resources for addressing stressors. Range from more formal organizations (e.g., AA) to informal community support groups.

Question 28

Helper therapy principle

Answer 28

a model, first described in 1965 by Frank Riessman, attempting to explain the therapeutic effect for both people in a “helper” and “helpee” relationship within self-help / mutual-aid support groups.

Question 29

Community narrative

Answer 29

asserts that students need to be afforded an opportunity to express their views and examine issues related to history from their own lens, and in the process claim their place as full members of the community.

Question 30

Studies of GROW and Alcoholics Anonymous

Answer 30

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Question 31

Resources for coping offered by spirituality and religion

Answer 31

Faith-based coping pre-dates history. Can help make sense of the incomprehensible, unfathomable, and uncontrollable. Provides various coping resources. Personal: Sense of transcendence; framework for meaning-making; coping behaviors (prayer, meditation); Social: Rituals; membership and support through congregation; potentially also used by non-religious individuals.