Definition of Stress and Coping - Research Paper Example

Stress and Coping Definition of Stress and Coping Ironson, Schneiderman and Siegel (2005) define stress as a natural way of responding to the effects of anything that seriously affects our internal milieu in the ever-changing world. There are diverse ways of coping with stress. Their effectives rely on not only the type stressor, but also on the individual as well as the circumstances. In relation to this, Lazarus and Folkman (1984) assert that emotion-focused and problem focused are the well-known types of coping responses. Problem-focused coping tackles the stressful situation that causes stress with the aim of reducing stress. Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, is associated with decreasing the negative, stressful emotions such embarrassment, anxiety, excitement, as well as frustration. Unlike emotion-focused and problem-focused, avoidant coping is associated with escaping specific thoughts or feelings through choosing a behavior (Holahan, Moos, Brennan & Schuttle, 2005). Research on Stress and Coping As it was introduced above, stress is a way that a person responds to the demands of the immediate environment. The degree to which a person feels stress is affected by the way that person interprets internal and external changes that are occasionally experienced (Ironson, Schneiderman & Siegel, 2005). According to Ironson, Schneiderman and Siegel study, the main causes of stress in children and adolescents are exposure not only to violence, but also abuse (sexual, emotional, or neglect) and marital conflicts. In adulthood, stress often develops from experiencing major negative life events (Ironson, Schneiderman & Siegel, 2005). Some of the negative events include recent divorces, unemployment, and major medical illness. According to Ironson, Schneiderman and Siegel (2005), stress often results in anxiety disorders. Some of the consequences of stress according to Ironson, Schneiderman, and Siegel’s study include smoking, accidents, and eating disorders. Stress may also lead to substance abuse and sleeping problems. Coping is one of the protective factors for the consequences associated with stress (Ironson, Schneiderman & Siegel, 2005). However, there are diverse ways of coping with stress. As it was introduced above, the effectiveness of each way relies on the victim, kind of stressor as well as the circumstances. In their work, Lazarus and Folkman (1984) proposed emotion-focused, and problem focused as two types of coping responses. According to their finding, problem-focused coping is associated with the contributors to stress. It tackles the stressful situation responsible for stress leading to the reduction of stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). In relation to this assertion, “problem-focused efforts are often directed at defining the problem, generating alternative solutions, weighing the alternatives in terms of their costs and benefits, choosing among them, and acting” (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984, p. 152). Problem-focused strategies include taking control by escaping or removing the stress and seeking for information about the stress. Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, aims at reducing the emotional response to stress such as anxiety, depression and frustration (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). According to their study, emotion-focused type of coping is often used when there is nothing else that can be put into practice in order to modify harmful or the threatening environmental conditions (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Some of the emotion-focused strategies include distancing oneself from the issue, avoidance, positive comparisons, and selective attention to other things (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). According to Holahan, Moos, Brennan and Schuttle (2005), avoidant coping is also one of the coping responses that is associated with escaping specific thoughts or feelings through choosing a behavior. Avoidance often coping results in distress and depression (Holahan, Moos, Brennan & Schuttle, 2005). In relation to this assertion, Holahan, Moos, Brennan and Schuttle claim that reliance on avoidance coping leads to the generation of many stressors. For instance, they associated incipient stressors such health problems with cognitive avoidance, and occurrence of new stressors with behavioral avoidance (Holahan, Moos, Brennan & Schuttle, 2005). Student Stress Scale Results Life Event Mean Value 1. Death of a close friend 73 2. Major personal injury or illness 63 3. Serious argument with a close friend 40 4. New girlfriend or boyfriend 37 Total stress score 213 According to the score interpretation, “I have a 50-50 chance of experiencing a serious health change within two years.” This is in relation to the fact that my score was between 150 and 299. The three primary source of my stress as much as stress score is concerned the death of a close friend, major personal injury or illness, and serious argument with a close friend. Daily Life Hassles Daily life hassles are defined as experiences as well as conditions of day to day living that are considered not only salient, but also harmful to an individual’s well-being (Ivancevich, 1986). Hassles include incidences such as losing things, assigned many responsibilities, developing concern over job security, and development of a feeling of loneliness (Ivancevich, 1986). Hassles often crop from the immediate environment, a person’s behavior pattern, or an individual’s interaction. According to Lazarus (1988, p.486), “daily hassles lead to the occurrence of health problems such as flu, sore throat, headaches and backaches.” In relation to this, my daily life hassles include concerns about the future, social obligations, misplacing things, too many responsibilities, and not having enough time. My Coping Skills I often used problem-focused as a coping form for my stress. This is in relation to the fact that I like solving the source of a problem as a much as possible before proceeding with other activities. For example, I remember having a small difference with my classmate over a certain joke which I did not know could generate a negative reaction. Instead of asking me directly why I cracked that joke, my friend started ignoring me. I could not withstand the avoidance; I thought it well to find the cause of the abrupt change in the behavior of my friend. Fortunately, the step I took helped us solve our difference amicably. I also remember being questioned about my poor performance by both my parents and teachers in my early days in high school. My poor performance was as a result of the friends I had started to interact with in school. The recognition of that as the cause of my poor performance aided me significantly. I avoided the bad friends and as a result started performing well. Positive and Negative Coping Checks Positive checks Response NEVER SOMETIMES OFTEN Meditate ✓ _____ _____ Stretch ____ ✓ _____ Engage in progressive muscle relaxation _____ ✓ _____ Listen to music _____ _____ ✓ Exercise aerobically _____ ✓ _____ Watch television _____ _____ ✓ Go to the movies _____ ✓ _____ Read _____ ✓ _____ Work on puzzles or play games _____ _____ ✓ Go for a leisurely walk _____ _____ ✓ Go to a health club ✓ _____ _____ Relax in a steam room or sauna ✓ _____ _____ Spend time alone _____ _____ ✓ Go fishing or hunting ✓ _____ _____ Participate in some form of recreational activity ✓ _____ _____ such as golf ✓ _____ _____ Do some work in the yard ✓ _____ _____ Socialize with friends _____ _____ ✓ Sit outside and relax _____ ✓ _____ Engage in a hobby _____ _____ ✓ Negative ways of responding to stress Response Never Sometimes Often Act violently _____ ✓ _____ Yell at someone _____ _____ ✓ Overeat ✓ _____ _____ Do not eat for long periods _____ ✓ _____ Drink for excessive amount of alcohol ✓ _____ _____ Drink lots of coffee ✓ _____ _____ Smoke tobacco ✓ _____ _____ Kick something ✓ _____ _____ Throw something ✓ _____ _____ Drive fast in a car ✓ _____ _____ Pace up and down ✓ _____ _____ Bite your fingernails ✓ _____ _____ Take tranquilizers ✓ _____ _____ Take valium or other drugs ✓ _____ _____ In relation to the checklist above, I often rely more on positive coping skills than negative coping skills; I sometimes stretch, engage in muscle relaxation, as well as exercise aerobically when in stress. Additionally, I often listen to music, watch television, take a walk or spend time alone when stressed. However, I sometimes act violently, avoid eating for some time or yell to those close to me when stressed. Conclusion Stress is a way that a person responds to the demands of the immediate environment. It is one of the contributors to anxiety disorders. Apart from causing social problems, stress can also cause health problems such as flu, headaches and backaches. There are diverse ways of coping with stress; emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, and avoidant coping. According to the information provided by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), problem-focused coping is the most effective. It leads to the eradication of the source of the stress. Thus, my coping mechanism for stress is very effective in dealing with my stress. From this study, I learnt that I can also go fishing or hunting, participate in some form of recreational activity, as well as do some work in the yard when I am stressed. These activities also contribute significantly to the reduction of stress. References Folkman, S. & Lazarus, R. (1988). The Impact of Daily Stress on Health and Mood: Psychological and Social Resources as Mediators. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol. 54. No.3. 486-495. Holahan, C., Moos, R., Holahan, C. Brennan, P. & Schuttle, K. (2005). Stress Generation, Avoidance Coping, and Depressive Symptoms: A 10-Year Model. J Consult Clin Psychol. 73(4): 658–666. Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G. & Siegel, D. (2005). Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 1:607-28. Read More