THEORY OF STRESS AND COPING

Theory Of Stress And Coping

Theory Of Stress And Coping

Introduction

The present paper gives an overview of personal and social coping resources that help to combat stressful encounters and daily stress. The theoretical perspective is mainly inspired. (Zeidner, Endler 2000) As an introduction, the cognitive-relational theory of stress, coping, and emotions will be briefly characterized.

Stress Theory

Cognitive-relational theory defines stress as a particular relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her well-being(Thoits 2001). Appraisals are determined simultaneously by perceiving environmental demands and personal resources. They can change over time due to coping effectiveness, altered requirements, or improvements in personal abilities(Gilchrist, Schinke 2002).

The cognitive-relational theory of stress emphasizes the continuous, reciprocal nature of the interaction between the person and the environment. Since its first publication(Thoits 2001), it has not only been further developed and refined, but it has also been expanded recently to a meta-theoretical concept of emotion and coping processes(Gilchrist, Schinke 2002).

Within a meta-theoretical system approach Lazarus conceives the complex processes of emotion as composed of causal antecedents, mediating processes, and effects. Antecedents are person variables such as commitments or beliefs on the one hand and environmental variables, such as demands or situational constraints, on the other. (Bandura 2004)Mediating processes refer to cognitive appraisals of situational demands and personal coping options as well as to coping efforts aimed at more or less problem-focused and emotion-focused. Stress experiences and coping results bring along immediate effects, such as affects or physiological changes, and long-term results concerning psychological well-being, somatic health and social functioning. (Beehr, McGrath 2008)

Stress Appraisals

Cognitive appraisals include two component processes, primary and secondary appraisals. Primary appraisal refers to the stakes a person has in a certain encounter. In primary appraisals, a situation is perceived as being either irrelevant, benign-positive or stressful. (Gilchrist, Schinke 2002)Those events classified as stressful can be further subdivided into the categories of benefit, challenge, threat and harm/loss.

A stress-relevant situation is appraised as challenging when it mobilizes physical and psychological activity and involvement. In the appraisal of challenge, a person may see an opportunity to prove herself or himself, (Thoits 2001) anticipating gain, mastery or personal growth from the venture. The situation is experienced as pleasant, exciting, and interesting, and the person is hopeful, eager, and confident to meet the demands.

Threat occurs when the individual perceives being in danger, and it is experienced when the person anticipates future harm or loss. Harm or loss can refer to physical injuries and pain or to attacks on one's self-esteem. (Gilchrist, Schinke 2002) Although in threat appraisal future prospects are seen in a negative light, the individual still seeks ways to master the situation faced. The individual is partly restricted in his or her coping capabilities, striving for a positive outcome of the situation in order to gain or to restore his or her well-being. Rather (Bandura 2004) threat is a relational property ...