SOC363: 7 - Coping Flashcards
The Role of Coping in the Stress Process
Defined: “behavioral or cognitive response to a stressor
that [attempts] to prevent or allay [reduce] the
harm otherwise caused by the stressor.” (Pearlin
and Bierman, 2012)
intervention in face of stressful situations
The Role of Coping in the Stress Process
Many questions:
*behaviour of coping vs background resources
◦ Do specific coping resources or styles mediate or
moderate the effects of stress….or both?
The Role of Coping in the Stress Process
◦ Does lower status result in more exposure to stress,
blocked access to coping resources, or both?
◦ What matters more….differences in specific coping
styles or generalized coping resources?
distribution of stressors vs coping resources
A Taxonomy of Coping
resources:
social - social support, social integration, social networks, social capital, mattering
A Taxonomy of Coping
personal - personality, instrumentalism* (mastery/sense of control/self-efficacy), flexibility (cognitive style), sense of coherence, self-esteem, hardiness
A Taxonomy of Coping
strategies:
behaviour - attempts to change situation, avoidance
cognitive - denial, selective perception, positive comparisons (look at ppl worse off)
Models for the Combined Effect of Stress and Coping
a) stress exposure: stress matters but coping doesn’t
b) generalized resistance resource: only coping resources matters
c) combined stress exposure/generalized resistance resources: combo of a and b
e) resistance resource/stress buffering
even when theres no stress, difference exists
Models for the Combined Effect of Stress and Coping
d) stress buffering: focused on in research
activation at point of stress
divergent point
high coping resource - more immune, lowers impact of stress on increasing distress
A Closer Look at Stress-Buffering
Resources in moderating role……
A Closer Look at Stress-Buffering
Upper line: Fewer resources, less effective coping, more vulnerable per stressor
bigger response
A Closer Look at Stress-Buffering
Lower Line: More resources, effective coping, less vulnerable per stressor
more immune to consequences of stressors
Social Support
Hammer et al: social linkages “may be thought of as
the basic building blocks of social structure… and
their formation, maintenance, and severance are…
fundamental social processes.”
Social Support
Social support has many different manifestations,
◦ Received support: actual supportive contacts with others.
Social Support
◦ Perceived support: the understanding that support is
available if needed — latent support. The perception of
being understood, cared for, and esteemed by others.
perceived - dormant-
Concepts of Support
- Cobb (1976) distinguishes types by what is
communicated:
◦ Feel esteemed and valued (e.g., at work)
Concepts of Support
◦ Feel loved and cared for (e.g., in a relationship)
◦ Feel one belongs to a network of communication and mutual obligation.
Concepts of Support
Larger distinctions:
◦ Emotional support (as above)
◦ Instrumental support – logistics, information, guidance, advice.
Concepts of Support
◦ Structural support – membership in a network involving clear norms of exchange, strong ties, dense interactions, and homogamy (social similarity).
Concepts of Support
And in each case, need to distinguish:
◦ Actual support
◦ Perceived support: perceived support matters more
Perceived Support
The core element of the mental health effect of
support. Works even when there is no explicit
supportive interaction.
Perceived Support
– Wethington and Kessler (1986) show
“not only that perceptions of support availability
are more important than actual support
transactions but that the latter promotes
psychological adjustment through the former.”
Perceived Support Findings (Wethington and Kessler)
Moderating (buffering) => Perceived support reduces the actual impact of stress
low perceived support - stress event increases in impact by .664
high support - impact only .172
Perceived Support Findings (Wethington and Kessler)
Mediating => Received support from spouse works because of its consequences for perceived support
Perceived Support Findings (Wethington and Kessler)
generalized value of perception support
indirect evidence
spouse support - increase percevied support - decrease stress
Personal Resources
Sense of Control:
◦ the belief that you have control over the outcomes
in your life, and that they are not caused by external
forces.
Personal Resources
Other terms: instrumentalism, mastery, self-efficacy,
internal locus of control.
sense of control - key elements in sociology of mental health
Personal Resources
socialized by education, social class background, gender psychological echos in key inequalities
Personal Resources
Cognitive Flexibility: avoid things i don’t know or like, how do i know i don’t like it
◦ The ability to see multiple sides of a problem, try
different approaches, change perspective, alter
strategies.
Personal Resources
Trust:
◦ The assumption that others should be trusted and
are worthy of trust.
Personal Resources
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