PSY-5302 Assignment: Demonstrate the Role of Cognition in the Stress Response PSY-5302 Assignment: Demonstrate the Role of Cognition in the Stress Response

PSY-5302 Assignment: Demonstrate the Role of Cognition in the Stress Response PSY-5302 Assignment: Demonstrate the Role of Cognition in the Stress Response

Aldwin (2007) attributes individual differences in reactions to stress to the existence of a wide range coping skills and/or styles. The way individuals respond to and deal with stress is the result of individual differences, resources, and experiences. Coping is most accurately operationalized as involving the person and the situation, and the interaction between the two. In other words, a surgeon who has no problem performing a complex surgery may panic in unstructured social situations. Some individuals perceive themselves as being able to perform competently under most circumstances. This perception of competence can be viewed as a coping style. On the other hand, some people have very specific coping skills. These can be viewed more as management skills than a general attitude.

Even if individuals do not have a coping style that enables them to avoid stress in most situations, they can develop specific coping skills. They can develop effective strategies by focusing directly on reducing the painful emotions or by focusing on the underlying issues. Coping strategies are considered emotion-focused when the focus is on modifying painful emotions such as sadness or worry. Coping skills can be considered problem-focused when the focus is on resolving the incidents precipitating the stress.

Is it better to utilize emotion-focused rather than problem-focused strategies? Probst and Jiang (2016) compared both emotion- and problem-focused strategies in a laboratory setting. They found that those subjects who were asked to write about their emotional reactions to the stressor achieved a significantly greater reduction in stress response compared to those who were asked to write ideas on resolving the issue—a problem-focused intervention. On the other hand, in a study of coping strategies used by nurses, the most prevalent coping strategies were emotional-focused strategies including denial of the problem and escape-avoidance. Both were found to be ineffective ways of dealing with stressful situations (Hirsch et al., 2015).

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

References:

Aldwin, C. M. (2007). Stress, coping and development: An integrative perspective. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.