PSYCHOLOGY Concepts and Theories: stress and coping theory

Showing posts with label stress and coping theory. Show all posts

Monday, January 1, 2024

Stress Management

Stress management is a crucial aspect of maintaining good mental health. Stress is a complex construct representing the impact of stressful stimuli (i.e., stressors) on a person's functioning. Stress management is the process of managing the response to stressors so that a person's functioning does not decline but rather remains the same or improves. (Sutton, 2024).

According to Glazer and Gasser (2016), stress is a feature of life that affects all people around the world, even if it manifests differently across cultures. The term stress, however, is quite complex, taking on different meanings for both researchers and laypersons.

When using the word stress, researchers more often than not are inferring stressors—that is, environmental events (demands, constraints, or opportunities) or stimuli that require an adaptive response. In contrast, laypeople are more often thinking about stress as a negative response to a stressor (i.e., strain) rather than as a stimulus. Moreover, linguistic translations of the term stress yield different conceptualizations; in some languages it is clearly a response, whereas in other languages it is clearly a stimulus. Glazer and Gasser (2016) define and describe stressors, strains, and stress management; review the prevalence and comorbidity of stress; and present the major stress management interventions and the empirical support for their utility. They conclude by outlining future directions for practice, theory, research, and training in stress management.

APA (American Psychological Association) suggests several ways to manage stress. One of the most effective ways is to identify what’s causing stress and take action.

Building strong, positive relationships by connecting with supportive friends and family members when you’re having a difficult time is also helpful.

Regular exercise, nourishing food, and participating in activities you enjoy can help reduce stress.

Staying focused on the positive and avoiding negative energy is also important.

APA recommends avoiding drugs and alcohol to manage stress.

When stress becomes overwhelming, consult a psychologist.

Cite this post (APA style)

Sutton, G. W. (2024, January 1). Stress management. Psychology concepts and theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2024/01/stress-management.html

Related Posts

Transactional Theory of Stress

General Adaptation Syndrome

Stress and Coping Theory

References

Anton, B. S. (2015, December 1). Coping with stress. Monitor on Psychology, 46(11). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/12/pc

American Psychological Association. (2023, October 31). Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/tips

Glazer, S., & Gasser, C. E. (2016). Stress management. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, D. K. Freedheim, & N. Pole (Eds.), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Psychopathology and health (pp. 461–475). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14862-020

Sutton, G. W. (2024, January 1). Stress management. Psychology concepts and theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2024/01/stress-management.html

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on AMAZON or GOOGLE STORE

Follow on FACEBOOK Geoff W. Sutton

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You can read many published articles at no charge:

Academia Geoff W Sutton ResearchGate Geoffrey W Sutton

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.

Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping (TTSC)

Stressful events

Richard Lazarus (1966; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) developed the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping (TTSC). In this theory, stress results from the transaction between people and their environments. There are multiple intrapersonal systems such as cognitive, physiological, affective, psychological, and neurological.

References

Lazarus, R. S. (1966). Psychological stress and the coping process. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on AMAZON or GOOGLE STORE

Follow on FACEBOOK Geoff W. Sutton

TWITTER @Geoff.W.Sutton

You can read many published articles at no charge:

Academia Geoff W Sutton ResearchGate Geoffrey W Sutton

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and Stress

In 1956, Hans Selye described stress as a physiological response pattern. In his General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model, stress is a response variable. Stress functions as a defense and the response pattern has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. When the stress response is severe, it may cause diseases of adaptation (e.g., sleep deprivation, mental illness, heart disease) and death.

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Stress and Coping Theory

Stress as a Response Complex

The concept of stress as a factor in human experience has been viewed in several ways. In 1956, Hans Selye described stress as a physiological response pattern. In his General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model, stress is a response variable. Stress functions as a defense and the response patterns has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. When the stress response is severe, it may cause diseases of adaptation (e.g., sleep deprivation, mental illness, heart disease) and death.

In 1983, Selye included a role for cognition—the way people think about stress can lead to positive or negative outcomes. The idea of coping with stress is a part of the model as reflected in the idea of adapting and the role of cognition.

Stress and Transactional Theory

Susan Kobassa (1979) employed the concept hardiness to encompass person characteristics that enable some people to function well when confronted with the same life events that negatively impacted others.

In 1966, Lazarus identified cognitive appraisal of stress as the key to understanding how people cope with stressors.

Coping responses are quite diverse. Cognitive approaches include therapies and meditation. Physical strategies include deep breathing and exercise. Environmental aids include pets and music. Religious and spiritual methods include prayer and faith-based meaning of life events. Forgiveness has also been viewed from the perspective of stress and coping theory (e.g., Worthington, 2020).

Related Posts

Religious and Spiritual Coping- Positive and Negative

References

Kobasa, S. C. (1979). Stressful life events, personality, and health – Inquiry into hardiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(1), 1–11.

Lazarus, R. S. (1966). Psychological stress and the coping process. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. New York: McGraw Hill.

Worthington, E. L. Jr. (Ed.). (2020). Handbook of forgiveness: Second edition. New York: Routledge.

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on AMAZON or GOOGLE STORE

Follow on FACEBOOK Geoff W. Sutton

TWITTER @Geoff.W.Sutton

You can read many published articles at no charge:

Academia Geoff W Sutton ResearchGate Geoffrey W Sutton

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.