Exam 3: Coping

Adaptation

general term for human change based on challenges in the environment

Coping

describes the explicit actions taken by individuals as they encounter difficult conditions in their daily lives

Types of coping

behavioral strategies: actions to manage stress

-confronting a person about a conflict or engaging in physical activity to manage the feelings

-avoidance involve withdrawal, distraction, use of substances, or other methods of staying away from the stressor

cognitive strategies: analyze the situation to fully understand the nature of the threat or challenge

-seeing both sides of the story/appraising both sides/the positive and negative

Resilience

an individual's ability to endure stressful situations without suffering the physiological or psychological consequences

Factors for successful coping include

-mastery

-self-acceptance

-drive for personal growth and self-development

-positive relations with others

T or F: Personal and contextual factors influence an individual's ability to cope with stress.

true

T or F: Symptoms of mental illness and personal and societal stigma add to difficulty in coping with everyday stressors.

true

Mental illness and coping: Impact on the individual and family

daily activities are disrupted by stress, time, and energy when caring for a family member with a mental illness

dynamic interplay between

-the individual with the mental illness

-the family's response to the mental illness

-services available to facilitate personal and familial coping

What is the role of OT in stress and coping?

-to explore areas of current stress and personal coping in the context of their impact on quality of life and occupational performance

-to conduct formal and informal observations - looking at: problem-solving capabilities, adaptive skills, and ability to cope with stress

Areas for observation in stress and coping include:

1) reaction to occupational performance in expected

daily activities

2) relationship and interactions with significant others

(e.g., spouses, children)

3) client factors such as emotional state, reaction to

stress, and ability to cope

4) client appraisal of the situation as compared with

actual facts

5) other relevant information (e.g., related to context,

situation)

Assessments for stress and coping include

self-report stress and coping measures

-stress measurement

-coping measurement

-ways of coping checklist-revised

interviews

-family stress and coping interview

-COPM

-OCAIRS

stress diaries

-tracks stress and coping over time

-daily activity and sleep diaries

physiological measures

observation

Self report stress and coping measures

are selected based on the the purpose of the assessment and the client's condition

T or F: Self-report instruments, assessment tools in which the client provides his or her own perspective, are the most commonly used method of assessing stress and coping.

true

Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised

-checklist of 66 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale

-respondents are asked to identify strategies used to deal with life demands

-results in a representation of the client's style of coping, including (1) problem focused, (2) wishful thinking, (3) distancing, (4) seeking social support, (5) emphasizing the positive, (6) self-blame, (7) tension reduction, and (8) self-isolation

What types of interviews are used for stress and coping?

-family stress and coping interview

-COPM

-OCAIRS

What are stress diaries?

-a means for clients and therapists to track stress and coping over time

-various forms of stress diaries exist; they generally involve a journal or recording of the times and events surrounding stress, personal reactions to events, and coping strategies used

*can be used with DBT

Theoretical frameworks for stress and coping interventions include

-psychodynamic-object relations approaches

-occupation-based approaches

-cognitive behavioral

-psychoeducation

-relaxation and meditation

-health, wellness, nutrition, and exercise

-social skills training

Psychodynamic-object relations approaches

-therapists use expressive techniques in collaboration with the client to develop insights and understanding, and facilitate adaptive behaviors to meet goals

-interventions aimed at stress and coping often include creative media designed to provide a means for the client to express feelings and come to self-realization

interventions include: writing and creative expression

*focuses on self expression

**used as a preparatory technique

Psychodynamic-object relations approaches: Writing

expressive techniques are helpful to facilitate understanding of the conscious and unconscious, which can lead to increased personal insight and goal attainment

techniques:

-free writing and flow writing

-stream of consciousness

-journal writing

-open dialogue

-expressive creative writing

Psychodynamic-object relations approaches: Creative expression

use of expressive media seeks to free underlying emotions and conflicts in order to heal the psyche

techniques

-free-form art

-sculpture

-improvisational drama or play

Occupation-based approaches

focuses on how an individual's daily occupations support or hinder personal health

Cognitive behavioral interventions

-stresses the role of one's thought process in influencing emotions and behaviors

-identifies maladaptive behaviors and thinking patterns

-restructures these patterns with adaptive thoughts and actions

Which of the following characteristics is most reflective of an individuals resilience?

A) Avoidance of change to allow for growth and development in one's current situation

B) An individual's belief he or she can influence his or her life situation

C) Realization that change requires help from others

D) An individual's acceptance of his or her current situation

B) An individual's belief he or she can influence his or her life situation

Additional interventions include

-psychoeducation

-relaxation and meditation

-health, wellness, nutrition, and exercise

-social skills training

You are working with a client who sometimes appears hyperreactive to daily events at home and school. After assessment, you want to use a treatment approach that will allow creative expression activities to promote insight into themselves and the situations they perceive as stressful. Which theoretical framework does this approach best represent?

A) Cognitive behavioral

B) MOHO

C) Psychodynamic

D) Occupation-based approach

C) Psychodynamic