Lecture 6 Coping Flashcards
What is coping?
The cognitive, behavioral, and emotional ways that people deal with situations that are appraised as stressful
Coping is not a one-time reaction but a dynamic process.
What are the perceived obligations of the ‘superwoman’ role?
- Project strength
- Suppress emotions
- Resist feelings of vulnerability and dependence
- Succeed despite limited resources
- Prioritize caregiving over self-care
This role can lead to stress and health disparities among Black and African American women.
What is the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping?
A framework developed by Lazarus & Folkman in 1984 that describes how individuals cope with stress through cognitive appraisal and coping strategies.
What is approach coping?
Taking action, confronting, and/or reframing the source of stress
It includes problem-focused coping.
What is problem-focused coping?
Engaging with the stressor to reduce its demands or increase one’s resources to meet those demands
Example: Dividing exam studying time into smaller chunks.
What is avoidance coping?
Ignoring, distancing, or trying to escape the source of stress
Examples include denial, distracting oneself, and substance use.
What is emotion-focused coping?
Controlling one’s emotional response to a stressor rather than the stressor itself
It can be approach or avoidance coping depending on its application.
Is problem- or emotion-focused coping better?
It depends on the situation.
What is resilience?
The ability of some individuals to maintain psychological and physical health despite experiencing major stressors.
What are personal resources that contribute to coping?
- Dispositional affect
- Optimism
- Sense of control
What is dispositional affect?
A general tendency to experience positive and negative affect.
What is high positive affectivity linked to?
Better physical and mental health, lower risk of disease.
What does high negative affectivity indicate?
Tense, anxious, insecure, and linked to poorer health outcomes.
How does optimism influence coping?
People higher in optimism tend to cope more effectively with stress and lead healthier, longer lives.
What is pessimism characterized by?
A negative explanatory style, viewing setbacks as internal, stable, and global.
What is the sense of control?
The belief that we make our own decisions and determine our actions.
What impact does socioeconomic status (SES) have on coping?
SES significantly affects how people cope with stress.
What is social support?
Companionship from others that conveys emotional or instrumental support.
What are the benefits of strong social support?
- Faster recoveries and fewer medical complications
- Less distress in terminal illness
- Lower mortality risk
What is the Buffering Hypothesis?
Social support exerts beneficial effects in high-stress situations by altering stress appraisal and response.
What does the Direct Effect Hypothesis state?
Social support is associated with health and well-being irrespective of stress levels.
Can social support backfire?
Yes, if it is perceived as inadequate or unwanted.
What are the phases of stress management programs?
- Education
- Skill acquisition
- Skill practice
What does skill acquisition in stress management involve?
Reflecting on stressors and identifying specific reasons for stress.
