Contents
The book «Introduction to Psychology». Authors — R.L. Atkinson, R.S. Atkinson, E.E. Smith, D.J. Boehm, S. Nolen-Hoeksema. Under the general editorship of V.P. Zinchenko. 15th international edition, St. Petersburg, Prime Eurosign, 2007.
Article from chapter 14. Stress, coping and health
Emotions and physiological arousal caused by stressful situations are extremely unpleasant, and this discomfort motivates the individual to do something to reduce them. The process by which a person tries to cope with stressful demands is called coping and occurs in two main forms. A person may focus on a particular problem or situation in an attempt to change or avoid it in the future. This is called problem-oriented coping. The person may also focus on reducing the emotions associated with the stressful situation, even if the situation itself cannot be changed. This is called emotionally oriented coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Most people in a stressful situation use both of these types of coping.
Problem-Oriented Coping
The problem solving strategy includes the formulation of the problem, the development of alternative solutions, the evaluation of alternatives in terms of costs and benefits, the choice of an alternative, and the implementation of the chosen solution. Problem-oriented strategies can be directed inward: instead of changing the environment, a person can change something in himself. For example, you can change the level of aspirations, find other sources of satisfaction, or acquire new skills. The ability of an individual to use these strategies depends on his experience and ability to control himself.
Suppose you receive a warning that you are about to fail a subject required to complete a course. You can consult with your professor, develop a training program to meet the required requirements, and then follow it; or you may decide that you are unable to complete the requirements in the remaining time, and then schedule a retake of this course in summer school. Both of these courses of action are problem-oriented coping.
Individuals prone to problem-oriented coping experience less depression both before and after stress (Billings & Moos, 1984). Of course, less depressed people find it easier to resort to problem-oriented coping. But long-term studies show that problem-based coping reduces periods of depression, even after initial levels. In addition, psychotherapeutic training in problem-oriented coping with depression is helpful in helping people cope with their depression and respond more appropriately to stressors (Nezu, Nezu, & Perri, 1989).
Emotionally Focused Coping
People use emotional coping to avoid being overwhelmed by negative emotions and to keep those emotions from preventing them from taking action to solve their problems. Emotionally-oriented coping is also resorted to in case of impossibility of resolving the problem.
There are many ways to overcome negative emotions. Some researchers distinguish between behavioral and cognitive strategies (Moos, 1988). Behavioral strategies include exercising to move your thoughts away from the problem, using alcohol and drugs, taking out anger, and seeking emotional support from friends. See →
Defense Mechanisms as Emotion-Oriented Coping
The coping strategies we have discussed so far have been explored relatively recently. However, in the psychoanalytic literature (A. Freud, 1946/1967), the idea of emotionally oriented coping has a long history. To refer to the unconscious strategies that allow people to overcome negative emotions, Anna Freud introduced the concept of a defense mechanism. This emotionally oriented strategy does not change the stressful situation, it only changes the person’s ideas and thoughts about it. Therefore, in all defense mechanisms there is an element of self-deception. See →