Coping Flashcards
what is the definition of coping?
the process by which people manage the perceived discrepancy between demands of the situation and the resources of the person that they appraise in a stressful situation
what are the 3 possible responses upon primary appraisal that lead to no further coping?
- benign appraisal
- irrelevant appraisal
- positive appraisal
what response upon primary appraisal will lead to secondary appraisal (coping)?
- stimulus appraised as harm, loss or threat
- stimulus appraised as stressor
what are the 4 responses upon secondary appraisal (coping)?
- seeking information
- taking directs action
- doing nothing
- worrying
what are the types of coping?
- problem-focused: reduce demands of situation OR expand resources to deal with it
- emotion-focused: control emotional response to situation
what are examples of problem-focused coping?
- change from high to low stress job
- change from unhealthy to healthy diet
when might problem-focused coping be used?
when people believe their resources or demands of the situation are changeable
what are examples of emotion-focused coping?
- using alcohol or drugs
- seek emotional support from friends
- use distraction
when might emotion-focused coping be used?
when people fell they can do nothing to change the situation
what are examples of problem-focused coping strategies?
- planning
- active coping
- seeking social support
- positive reappraisal
what are examples of emotion-focused coping strategies?
- seeking social support
- distancing
- escape-avoidance
- denial
- distraction
- self-control
- substance use
- accepting responsibility
what are examples of stages when coping with illness?
- denial: denies existence of symptom
- normalising: interpret symptom as normal experience
- resignation: become consumed by illness
- accommodation: acknowledges, deals with problem
what are examples of coping resources?
- money
- health
- sense of control (over situation)
- personality (optimism)
- belief/attitudes (perfectionism)
- become informed
- exercise (vs antidepressants)
- social support
how is coping assessed?
- questionnaires
- rating scales
- ways of coping checklist
- COPE
what does the assessment for coping, COPE, measure?
- what individuals DO and FEEL when they experience stressful events (rating scale)
- coping strategies incorporated into 13 scales
- values of responses reflect coping style/strategy
coping as a ‘trait’
- personality
- style
- consistency
coping as a ‘state’
- response to time and situation
- process or strategy
- different ways of coping
when is problem-focused coping implemented?
when people believe their resources or demands of the situation are changeable
when is emotional- focused coping implemented?
when people feel they can do nothing to change the situation
what is burnout?
- emotional exhaustion
- cynicism
‘monitors’ vs ‘blunters’
‘monitors’
- seek information
(prefer high information)
‘blunters’
- avoidance
(prefer low information)
what type of information might one provide a patient?
- procedural info
- sensation info
- behavioural info
social support and coping: networks
- size and frequency of contact
- composition
- intimacy (confidant)
types of social support and coping
- emotional/esteem
- informational
- tangible
- companionship
how does social support influence health?
buffering effect: protects individual against negative effects on health
- stressor is strong
- enhances resources
- enables reappraisal
- distraction
direct effect: beneficial to health and well-being
- regardless of the degree of stress
- bonding
- self esteem
- positive outlook
- inc. resistance to infection
- healthier lifestyle
when is social support not beneficial?
- when not perceived as supportive
- reduces self-esteem
- does not match needs
- encourages damaging lifestyle (poor role model, not engaging in healthy behaviours, overprotective)
