The Coping Process

Coping strategies are used as a response to stress. Some coping strategies do a great job at battling crisis and effectively find a solution, but other methods are less effective and instead contribute to added mental and physical stress. Multiple coping strategies can be used in various situations, and people identify with different methods that will help them most.

Different stressors in life will affect people differently, but every situation can ultimately be rephrased to become a positive stressor with creative thinking and effortful control.

Negative Stressors

When the word “stress” comes to mind, negative stressors initially rush to the surface of our thinking. This relates to outcomes and emotions like anxiety, depression, worry, disease, and grief. Negative stress can be described as the “undesirable” stressors in life, such as grieving for a loved one, relationship conflict, health conditions or injury, or feeling overwhelmed by work. Negative stress is the type of stress that leads to inflammation and chronic illness.

Negative life events do not always lead to negative stress. If individuals can confront the situation in an effective manner and do not allow the pressure to overcome them, they adjust better and have a greater sense of control. People with depression and anxiety are more likely to experience negative stress because they have trouble with controlling the forces of stress. Some people have limited access to resources and support, which is why they are at greater risk of turning to negative coping strategies that further fuel the problem.

Positive Stressors

Positive stress is found when a person can transform a stressful situation into a learning experience that adds meaning to their life. Strong identities, social support, and powerful belief systems help people to overcome stressors. When possible, people are generally quite resilient and look for ways to recover from stress by searching for useful solutions. Individuals may treat the situation differently due to different life circumstances. They may consider stress as an opportunity to explore a new career, change an aspect of their lifestyle, or spend time with the people they love.

References

  • Folkman, S., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2000). Stress, Positive Emotion, and Coping. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(4), 115–118. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20182642
  • Thoits, P. A. (1995). Stress, Coping, and Social Support Processes: Where Are We? What Next? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 53–79. https://doi.org/10.2307/2626957
  • Seppa, N. (2012). Bad stress tied to inflammation. Science News, 181(4), 9–9.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/41480716

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