Coping with stress KKDP9 Flashcards
Coping:
A process involving cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage specific internal and/or external stressors that are appraised as exceeding the resources of the person.
Coping strategy:
A specific method, either behavioural or psychological, that people use to manage or reduce the stress produced by a stressor.
Exercise:
Physical activity that is performed to improve or maintain your physical and psychological condition.
Exercise 1:
Physical exercises uses up stress hormones. Helps the body return to normal functioning sooner.
Exercise 2:
Increases the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and increases strength and stamina for encountering future stressors.
Exercise 3:
A ‘time-out’ from the stressor.
Exercise 4:
Strenuous physical activity can release endorphins, reducing pain and stress levels.
Exercise 5:
People who exercise with others experience long-term psychological benefits from social interaction.
Approach strategies:
Involves efforts to confront a stressor and deal directly with it and its effects.
Approach Pos v Neg:
Considered a more adaptive and effective approach
Initially may increase stress levels
Avoidance:
Involves efforts to evade a stressor and deal indirectly with it and its effects.
Avoidance Pos v Neg:
If someone is experiencing a number of stressors, avoidance can help you focus on stressors that you have the potential to change.
Maladaptive approach as it does not help people develop effective strategies to use in the future.
Effectiveness of coping strategies:
Can be influenced by factors such as the demands of the situation and one’s ability to adapt and modify the strategy.
Context Specific-Effectiveness:
When there is a match between the coping strategy that is used and the stressful situation.
Coping flexibility:
Refers to the ability to effectively modify or adjust one’s coping strategies according to the demands of different stressful situations.
