Coping

Question 1

Define coping

Answer 1

The process by which people manage the perceived discrepancy between the demands of the situation and the resourced of the person that they appraise in a stressful situation

Question 2

What is the primary appraisal of a stress stimulus

Answer 2

It determines if there is an danger. If not then no further coping, if so then secondary appraisal

Question 3

What is the secondary appraisal of a stress stimulus

Answer 3

This determines what coping method to utilise.

Question 4

Describe some features of coping

Answer 4

It relates to secondary appraisal, decreases the effects of the stressor, isn’t always associated with good outcomes and mat change over time.

Question 5

Describe the features of seeing coping as a trait or a state

Answer 5

Trait - Relates to someones personality and is something that is unchanged.
State - Implies a response to a time/situation, viewed as a process and person has different ways of coping.

Question 6

What are the two types of coping and describe them.

Answer 6

Problem focused (reduces demands of situation or expands resources to deal with it). Or emotion focused ( controls the emotional response to situation). So either alter the problem or regulate the response.

Question 7

When is problem-focused coping used?

Answer 7

When people believe their resources or demands of the situation are changeable.

Question 8

When is emotion-focused coping used?

Answer 8

When the person feels they can do nothing to change the situation

Question 9

Describe the differences in coping styles between genders

Answer 9

Females - emotion focused but for males - problem focused

Question 10

Describe the differences in coping styles between social classes

Answer 10

High income, highly educated - problem focused. Disadvantaged individuals - emotion focused

Question 11

Give a few examples of coping strategies and if they are PF or EF.

Answer 11

Active coping (PF), seeking social support (PF/EF), Denial (EF), Destraction (EF)

Question 12

Give three examples of coping resourced

Answer 12

• Sense of control (over the situation), Personality, Exercise and social support

Question 13

How is coping assessed?

Answer 13

Questionnares or rating scales. Examples; Ways of coping checklist and COPE.

Question 14

Describe how the COPE method works

Answer 14

Where an individual rates what they do and feel when they experience a stressful event. The values of responses reflect coping style

Question 15

In breast cancer what type of coping is associated with survival?

Answer 15

Emotion focused.

Question 16

What are monitors and blunters?

Answer 16

Monitors - people who seek information and cope better when they are well informed. Blunters - People who prefer to avoid and therefore they cope better with less information.

Question 17

How does social suppoer influence health?

Answer 17

• Buffering effect - protects individual against the neg effects on health.
• Direct effect - beneficial to health and well-being

Question 18

When is social support not beneficial?

Answer 18

When not perceived as support, when it reduces self esteem, or when it encourages a damaging life style.