Evaluate strategies for coping with stress

Folkman and Lazarus (1988) Two ways of coping

Problem-focused coping• This is an attempt to remove or

correct a problematic situation (e.g. as quitting an abusive relationship or taking extra courses to qualify for a new job).

• A special form of problem-focused coping is called pro-active coping that is used to avoid a future problem (such as studying hard for an exam to avoid the stress of failing).

Emotion-focused coping• This is an attempt to manage the emotional

aspects of stress (e.g. example, changing the way one thinks about a problem or learning to accept it, using relaxation techniques, seeking social support, or using drugs to alleviate tension).

• A special form of emotion - focused coping is avoidance coping (for example, denying the problem or drinking alcohol to forget the problem. Avoidance coping could be effective in the short - term. Some coping strategies may be problematic, for example, if people become dependent on alcohol.

Problem-focused coping

• may be the most adaptive in situations perceived as controllable.

Emotion -focused coping

• may be the most adaptive in situations that are perceived as uncontrollable.

Gender differences in coping strategies

Taylor (2002) Tend and befriend theory of coping

• The tend and befriend theory suggests that evolution has provided males and females with different challenges.

• Males tend to exhibit the fight or flight response, which is triggered by adrenaline.

Taylor (2002) Tend and befriend theory of coping

• Females tend to exhibit the tend and befriend response, which is triggered by the hormone oxytocin. "Tend" refers to nurturing activities and "befriend" refers to seeking social support.

Taylor (2002) Tend and befriend theory of coping

• The theory was formulated on the basis of a meta-analysis on research on stress and coping.

• The study found that women tend to use social support more than men as coping strategy.

• Women also provide more social support to others, and draw on socially supportive networks more consistently in times of stress.

Social support as coping strategy• Seeking social support is a coping

strategy related to emotion-focused coping.

• Social support can act as a buffer against the physiological and psychological effects of stress but it can also protect against potential stress on a daily basis without apparent stressors.

• Social support can be defined as the experience of being part of a social network with access to mutual assistance and obligations.

Social support may manifest as:1. Emotional support: verbal or

non-verbal communication of caring and concern. It could include listening, empathizing, and comforting.

2. Informational support: information to guide and advice to help a person to understand and cope better with a stressful situation.

3. Practical support: tangible assistance such as transportation, assistance with household chores or financial assistance.

Pets as social support Allen et al. (1999)

• The researchers investigated whether owning a pet could reduce stress in a sample of 48 participants (New York City stockbrokers) who suffered from mental stress.

• They were living alone and had all been treated with drugs against high blood pressure (hypertension) – a consequence of stress.

• There was an equal distribution of men and women and they all had to be willing to acquire a pet as part of the experiment.

Pets as social support Allen et al. (1999)

• Half of the participants were randomly allocated to a condition, where a cat or dog was added to their treatment.

• Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before the drug therapy began and six months later.

Pets as social support Allen et al. (1999)

• Results showed that in tests where participants were stressed, the pet owners remained significantly more stable than the participants who did not own a pet.

• According to the researchers, a loving pet can have a calming influence on stress symptoms such as blood pressure and heart rate.

• This is particularly the case for individuals who have a limited social network.