Stress & Coping Unit 2

Self-efficacy

We want to boost people's ability and belief that they can accomplish something (Albert Bandura)

Is self-efficacy always the same?

Self efficacy changes depending on context

What are the two coping outlooks and their definitions?

Internal- Control of Future (can help when trying to find a solution)

External- Don’t Have Control of Future (can help when there’s nothing to do. E.g. partner w alzheimers)

Which coping outlook is better?

Need to be flexible with using both depending on the situation

Types of coping

Proactive, reactive, preventive, avoidant

Proactive coping

• Positive Approach to Coping

• Trust that you have physical and psychological resources to cope

Reactive coping

• Problem Focused (problem solve)

• Emotion Focused (manage emotions about problem)

Preventive coping

• Averting Future Disaster

• Can be more stressful if it’s excessive 

Avoidant coping

Procrastination

Three ways of coping

• Act- to change the situation (sometimes acting takes away the problem)

• Distract- give yourself time to calm down (good as long as it’s not used as avoidance)

• Interact- call on social support (talk down, give diff. perspective)

Do all situations require the same way of coping?

No. Different Situations require Different Coping

Aaron Beck

Pioneer of CBT, found and labeled “dysfunctional thoughts” in depressed patients

Albert Ellis

Pioneer of CBT. Found and labeled “irrational thoughts” in depressed patients

CBT approach to stress management

• Put down thoughts surrounding stressors (pay attention to the kind of thinking)

• Put down the feelings surrounding it (angry, resentful, sad, anxious). See if thoughts are triggering feelings 

• Assess validity of thoughts: “is that the only way to think of this circumstance?”

• Generate alternatives to first assumption

Six components Cutrona’s Theory of Social Support

Attachment - Having people you feel close to

Social Integration - belonging to a group

Reassurance of Worth - Do you have people who will reassure you of your worth 

Reliable Alliance - instrumental. People who help you when things go wrong 

Guidance - People who got you has become even more complicated in the modern world 

Opportunity for Nurturance - having the opportunity to take care of someone else (lack of balance can end relationship)

Pros & cons of parasocial relationships

Cons:

• Entertaining, Unidirectional, Require Repeated Exposure

• Lack Bidirectional Interaction, Un-Realistic Views of the Celebrity

• Social Media has made constant contact much easier to attain

• Can Influence attitudes, appearance, and behavior

• self-criticism and comparison

Pros:

• Some might be beneficial (like a role model in skill. Depends on how it affect self-esteem and self-criticism)

• get out of our circle

Changing Marriage Patterns

Marriage used to be an economic exchange, people used to marry at younger ages, cohabitation was frowned upon

Changing

age of marriage

how it is conducted

who can get married

all influenced by family, religion, culture

At what two points do marriages take a dip in satisfaction? When does it rise again?

It dips when having small children and having teenagers. It rises back up when the adult children leave the nest

Harsh startup vs softened startup

Harsh startup: may have contempt and criticism

Softened startup: “I-” statement, presents the situation, states what they want from partner

Nine aspects that make a family more effective?

1) Shared directions, motivations

2) Good Communication pathways

3) Contacts Outside the Family

4) Deal With Trouble Directly

5) Affectionate, Expressive

6) Boundaries are Respected

7) Traditions and Rituals

8) Connection with Posterity

9) Sense of Place

Three components of Sternberg’s Theory of love

Passion, intimacy, and commitment

Challenges of parenthood

1) Life changing events

2) Decreases Marital Happiness

3) Gender Role/Equity Stress

4) Unrealistic expectations

5) Culture of criticism & blame

6) Complexity related to technology

Stressful aspects of divorce

• Lots of blame

• Ongoing Conflict (can’t walk away)

• Lost Dreams

• Financial Pressures

• Loss of Friends

• Fear of the Future Alone

• Stress of Dating again

• Stressful for Children

Cohabitation

Has grown in acceptance for couples that plan to get married as well as for those who don’t plan to yet. Used to be frowned upon

What is an anchor role?

Role where other social relationships expect you to hold everything together (very common for moms and middle age women)

Describe how parental roles are changing

Dads are becoming more involved, there are now three jobs and two people (2 jobs + parenting and housekeeping)