Lazarus and Folkmans Transactional Model of Stress And Coping

Question 1

Lazarus and Folkmans Transactional model of Stress and Coping

Answer 1

Lazarus and Folkmans transactional model suggests that stress is a subjective “transaction” between an incoming stressor and the Personal and environmental factors specified the individual. The model explains that the unique stress response of an individual results from their interpretation of the stressor and their belief in their ability to cope with it

According to the model, stress arises when there is a perceived imbalance between what a stressor requires and the coping resources believed to be available to deal with it. Therefore, the model views stress from a psychological perspective because it tracks the subjective cognitive and affective interpretations of an individual, and thier contiribution to stress

Question 2

Primary Appraisal

Answer 2

The first stage of the transactional model is known as the “primary appraisal”. In this stage, an individual first determines the nature of the incoming stimulus and the types of stress it might cause. This is done in 2 sub stages.

Question 3

Primary appraisal -substage 1

Answer 3

Primary appraisal first involves the individual deciding whether or not the incoming stimulus will actually cause them to experience stress. There are three initial ways an incoming stressor can be appraised:

 * benign-positive - this means that the individual perceives the stimulus as neutral or positive, and as such it will not cause stress.
  * irrelevant- the stimulus is perceived as not presenting an issue or source of worry for the individual in any way. The stimulus will not cause stress.
 * stressful- the stimulus will worry or force the individual to respond in some way, and as such is interpreted as a stressor.

Question 4

Primary appraisal -substage 2

Answer 4

If considered to be “stressful”, the stimulus (now called a stressor) undergoes further appraisal, being labelled according to the form of stress it causes. Lazarus and Folkmans outline three potential forms of stress

• Harm/loss- the stressor is perceived as having already caused some damage for the individual. This means the individual has now experienced distress.
• Threat- the stressor is perceived as potentially causing damage for the individual in the future. This means the individual has experienced distress
• challenge - the stressor is perceived as potentially providing a good opportunity for change and growth, though will be taxing in some way. This would cause the individual to experience eustress

Question 5

Secondary Appraisal

Answer 5

After the initial evaluation is made about the nature of a stressor, a further assessment is made about the coping mechanism required to actually deal with it.

In secondary appraisal, the individual decides what type of coping mechanisms or strategies will be needed to confront the stressor; and whether or not these are available to them. Further stress is created when the individual believes their coping resources cannot meet the demand of the stressor. If the individual believes they know what resources are needed and that these are available to them; this may prevent further stress.

 * emotion-focused coping- the use of coping strategies that target the emotional components of a stressor; dealing with the stressor indirectly rather than confronting its source.
  * problem-focused coping- the use of coping strategies that directly target the source of the stressor, aiming to reduce it in a practical way