Coping

Question 1

what is the definition of coping?

Answer 1

the process by which people manage the perceived discrepancy between demands of the situation and the resources of the person that they appraise in a stressful situation

Question 2

what are the 3 possible responses upon primary appraisal that lead to no further coping?

Answer 2

• benign appraisal
• irrelevant appraisal
• positive appraisal

Question 3

what response upon primary appraisal will lead to secondary appraisal (coping)?

Answer 3

• stimulus appraised as harm, loss or threat

- stimulus appraised as stressor

Question 4

what are the 4 responses upon secondary appraisal (coping)?

Answer 4

• seeking information
• taking directs action
• doing nothing
• worrying

Question 5

what are the types of coping?

Answer 5

• problem-focused: reduce demands of situation OR expand resources to deal with it
• emotion-focused: control emotional response to situation

Question 6

what are examples of problem-focused coping?

Answer 6

• change from high to low stress job

- change from unhealthy to healthy diet

Question 7

when might problem-focused coping be used?

Answer 7

when people believe their resources or demands of the situation are changeable

Question 8

what are examples of emotion-focused coping?

Answer 8

• using alcohol or drugs
• seek emotional support from friends
• use distraction

Question 9

when might emotion-focused coping be used?

Answer 9

when people fell they can do nothing to change the situation

Question 10

what are examples of problem-focused coping strategies?

Answer 10

• planning
• active coping
• seeking social support
• positive reappraisal

Question 11

what are examples of emotion-focused coping strategies?

Answer 11

• seeking social support
• distancing
• escape-avoidance
• denial
• distraction
• self-control
• substance use
• accepting responsibility

Question 12

what are examples of stages when coping with illness?

Answer 12

• denial: denies existence of symptom
• normalising: interpret symptom as normal experience
• resignation: become consumed by illness
• accommodation: acknowledges, deals with problem

Question 13

what are examples of coping resources?

Answer 13

• money
• health
• sense of control (over situation)
• personality (optimism)
• belief/attitudes (perfectionism)
• become informed
• exercise (vs antidepressants)
• social support

Question 14

how is coping assessed?

Answer 14

• questionnaires
• rating scales
• ways of coping checklist
• COPE

Question 15

what does the assessment for coping, COPE, measure?

Answer 15

• what individuals DO and FEEL when they experience stressful events (rating scale)
• coping strategies incorporated into 13 scales
• values of responses reflect coping style/strategy

Question 16

coping as a ‘trait’

Answer 16

• personality
• style
• consistency

Question 17

coping as a ‘state’

Answer 17

• response to time and situation
• process or strategy
• different ways of coping

Question 18

when is problem-focused coping implemented?

Answer 18

when people believe their resources or demands of the situation are changeable

Question 19

when is emotional- focused coping implemented?

Answer 19

when people feel they can do nothing to change the situation

Question 20

what is burnout?

Answer 20

• emotional exhaustion

- cynicism

Question 21

‘monitors’ vs ‘blunters’

Answer 21

‘monitors’
- seek information
(prefer high information)

‘blunters’
- avoidance
(prefer low information)

Question 22

what type of information might one provide a patient?

Answer 22

• procedural info
• sensation info
• behavioural info

Question 23

social support and coping: networks

Answer 23

• size and frequency of contact
• composition
• intimacy (confidant)

Question 24

types of social support and coping

Answer 24

• emotional/esteem
• informational
• tangible
• companionship

Question 25

how does social support influence health?

Answer 25

buffering effect: protects individual against negative effects on health - stressor is strong - enhances resources - enables reappraisal - distraction direct effect: beneficial to health and well-being - regardless of the degree of stress - bonding - self esteem - positive outlook - inc. resistance to infection - healthier lifestyle

Question 26

when is social support not beneficial?

Answer 26

- when not perceived as supportive - reduces self-esteem - does not match needs - encourages damaging lifestyle (poor role model, not engaging in healthy behaviours, overprotective)