Testing 1 2 3 Flashcards
(121 cards)
3 Facts about the Transactional Theory of Stress & Coping
1) its dynamic/stages 2) its a paradigm shifter (thought copoing was static before), 3) its a continuous process/is cyclical
Stepps of Trans. Model of Stress & Coping
Appraisal (see as stressful)
Response (select coping technique)
Reappraisal ( see how you feel after/reassess)
Primary Appraisal is:
Process by which a person assesses whether or not an event is a stressor. Determined by 2 steps of cognitive appraisal:
1) Primary: is it a stressor?
2) Secondary: if it is, what should I do about it? (problem or focused coping?)
What are 2 factors key to coping?
1) its process-oriented
2) its context specific
What is major function of coping
Regulate distress
its the effort manage stressfull demands (regardless of success at managing it)
Coping Strategies are directed at 3 things:
1) the environment
2) inward
3) can occur due to changes in envinronment independent of person
2 types of coping strageies for research purposes?
1) emotion focused coping
2) problem focused coping
What is emotion-focused coping?
When we cope to regulate the emotions associated with stress (can have a postive or negative effect)
What is Problem-focused coping?
When we cope to alter the troubled person-environment interaction (can be toward self, others, or the situation)… tends to be pitted against emotion focused coping
Ways a person copes depends upon:
1) Their personality
2) their perceived control of the situation
3) features of the social context/situation
4) characteristics of the stressor
5) availability of support
What should we be careful to NOT do with coping?
confound coping with its outcome (i.e. coping can be good and bad, but its still coping all the same)
What is the lowest in the heirarchy of coping strategies?
Denial…but can be useful if you have a terminal illness that you cant do anything about it
Why do we cope?
1) Deal with Social and environmental demands
2) Create Motivation
3) Maintain Psychological Equilibrium
What are resources that one can depend on for coping?
There are 7
1) Health and Energy
2) Positive Beliefs
3) Psychological Factors
4) Problem Solving Skills
5) Social Skills
6) Social Support
7) Material resources (i.e. i feel ill so i can buy a massage)
What are the 4 constraints of coping?
1) Cultural Beliefs/Values
2) Psychological Deficits
3) Environmental Constraints
4) Level of Threat one feels
Critique of Coping theory
it pits emotion focused coping against probelm focused coping (and they may not be mutally exclusive)
Social Support Definition
Information from others that one is loved or valued, and the recognition of a network of people who can provide help or assistance
2 points about social support
1) can be positive or negative
2) can be seen as a type of coping, but may be its own entity
Concepts/Measures that matter in determining if a subject has Social Support:
1) Social relationships (marriage often used to determine if a subject has these but marriage can be pos or neg so be careful there!)
2) Social network (#, frequency of contact, density)
3) perceived availability (how much do you think you can rely on it?)
4) received support (how much do you get it in actuality)
Types of Social support (5 types)
1) Emotional (expressions of empathy)
2) Esteem (reassurance of value –> key to development of self-efficacy)
3) Informational (suggestions, feedback, tough love)
4) Tangible or Instrumental (performance of service, giving things that will help –> i.e. parents giving kids a ride to school)
4) Negative (criticisms, broken promises –> S.S. is not always good!)
Name 4 theories/hypotheses on how social support works:
1) Main (or Direct) Effects Model
2) Buffering (Effect Moderator) Model
3) Mediating Mechanisms
4) Negative Effects
Main (or Direct) Effects Model - what does it say?
1) Says suport is always beneficial
2) Effect of social support will always be the same…those who have high support will always be equally less depressed than those with low social support for a given level of stress. (parallel)
Buffering Hypothesis (or Effect Moderator) - what does it say?
Says support buffers stress – you wont see a difference in cases of low stress, but in high stress situations, those with high social support will always do better
How does social support act as a mediating mechanism for stress (3 ways)
1) Health behaviors (ss–>exercise–>health)
2) Psychological (ss –> good self-esteem –> health)
3) Biological (ss –> neuroendocrine responses –> health)