Stress and Coping Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on a lecture about stress and coping mechanisms, including the transactional model of stress and coping, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and interventions for managing stress in chronic illness.

Coping

Attempts to eliminate the stressor or at least minimize the impact of stress.

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

A model proposed by Lazarus and Volkmann in the 1980s that views stress as a process involving the interpretation of environmental stimuli and the individual's resources to manage them.

Primary Appraisal

The process of evaluating a stressor to determine if it is positive, irrelevant, or dangerous (presenting a challenge, threat, risk of harm or loss).

Secondary Appraisal

The process of evaluating available resources to manage a stressor that has been deemed dangerous.

Problem Focused Coping

Directly dealing with the source of stress or threat to either eradicate it or minimize it; most effective when the stressor is controllable.

Emotion Focused Coping

Managing your emotional reaction to a threat or stressor; typically used when one feels they cannot directly reduce or avoid the threat.

Reappraisal

The process of re-evaluating a stressor after coping efforts have been made, which can lead to changes in primary appraisal.

Mindfulness Meditation

Cultivating awareness at the present moment with acceptance rather than judgment, letting thoughts flow without getting too worried about them, all while engaging in deep breathing techniques.

Expressive Writing

A technique where individuals write about their most stressful or traumatic experiences to help make sense of them and potentially reduce stress.