Abstract This paper is a literature review on coping strategies for parents and caregivers of autistic children. The paper studies the issue from theoretical and empirical perspectives. The paper reviews the perspectives of coping theorists, and details their theoretical framework. The paper concludes with a discussion of other coping strategies.
From the Paper "In this chapter, coping strategies will be explored from theoretical and empirical perspectives. As defined by Lazarus and Folkman, coping strategies are defined as methods employed by people to deal with situations that require..."
Abstract This paper addresses the various coping techniques that individuals can employ when dealing with cancer themselves or dealing with a loved one who has the disease. Moreover, this paper also addresses how a diagnosis of cancer can dramatically change not only the life of the person with cancer but the lives of those who love and care about him or her as well.
From the Paper "According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Today, millions of people are living with cancer or have had cancer. The numbers are dismal; according to most statistical data American's possess almost a fifty percent chance of developing cancer. With these alarming statistics it is unfortunate and inevitable that almost everyone will have to in some way or another learn how face and cope with the depressing hardships and obstacles of cancer. Whether an individual is diagnosed personally with cancer or a friend or family member is, it seems as though all of us at some point in time may have to learn coping mechanisms for this illness."
Abstract In this paper, the writer discusses that the issue of stress and anxiety that is linked to relationship betrayal and breakdown poses a particular challenge to contemporary psychological and relationship counseling. The paper presents an overview of the problem of infidelity and relationship breakdown mainly in the context of modern developed countries like the Unites States - while reference is also made to the permutations of the problem in other countries in the world. The central focus of this paper, however, is on the way that stress and anxiety can be dealt with in the two gender groups. This refers to the differences and similarities in the way that stress and anxiety is experienced by men and women; and the way that they cope with the trauma of divorce and infidelity. The last section of the paper deals with counseling strategies and methods of dealing with this issue, as well as some theoretical stances and trajectories that has been found to be useful in this regard.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Extent of the Problem
Psychological and other Consequences
Differences in Gender in Relation to Stress and Anxiety
Coping Strategies
General Coping Strategies and Advice
Coping Strategies for Women
Self-Esteem
Coping Strategies of Men
Counseling and Stress Reduction
Conclusion
Reference List
From the Paper " The above view underlines a cardinal aspect of the way that divorce in particular, as well as other forms of relationship breakdown, negatively influences a wide circle of people. The effect that relationship breakdown has on the family and on children is a significant factor in determining the extent of the problem, in that these aspects can add to and increase stress and anxiety. In other words, in the assessment of the extent and range of the effects of marital breakdown, the other individuals who are affected beside the man and woman, tend to contribute to the overall situation and to the stress and anxiety factors. For example, children may become disruptive as result of the stress of the relationship conflict, which in turn leads to an increase in the problematics of the situation."
Abstract The paper notes that hurricane Katrina disrupted lives unlike other natural disasters and comments that the effects of Katrina are ongoing and have resulted in permanent changes in many people's lives. The paper presents the rationale and methods for conducting a study that assesses the types and effectiveness of coping methods used by seniors, aged 60-70 in the New Orleans area. The paper highlights that the sample population for this study differs from similar studies conducted in the aftermath of Katrina, as it examines those that evacuated and then returned to rebuild. The paper discusses clues to coping mechanisms that can help other survivors of traumatic events to better cope with such an ordeal.
Outline:
Background of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study to Leadership
Nature of the Study
Hypothesis and Research Questions
Conceptual Framework
Assumptions
Scope, Limitations and Delimitations
Summary
Theoretical Background
What Determines Resilience?
Positive Emotions and Resiliency
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Resiliency
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Coping Abilities
Expectancy Theory and Resiliency
Leadership Theories and Resiliency
What is known about coping strategies?
Other Variables that May Affect the Study
Disaster Response
Conclusion
Research Method and Design Appropriateness
Sample Population
Research Instrument
Data Collection
Internal Validity
External Validity
Data Analysis
Summary
From the Paper "Older people may have difficulty meeting the documentation requirements due to age related difficulties. In addition, their special needs status group is disproportionately affected by any mass disaster. People recovering from Hurricane Katrina developed problems coping with the remnants of the disaster. According to a study done by UCLA, federal officials estimate that 500,000 people are in need of mental health services because of Hurricane Katrina. The onset of mental problems emerged in the New Orleans area, as people who managed to take care of themselves prior to the hurricane found themselves dependent upon social programs."
Abstract This essay explores the conventional consensus that the human coping capacity under the stress of catastrophic or disastrous events was determined primarily, if not solely, by the nature of the traumatic event before the twentieth century. This paper examines how this belief failed to take into consideration the fact that different individuals in many instances exhibit very differing reactive behaviors to similar situations. The author contends that this failure to recognize the factors that cause one individual to react one particular way in the face of disaster while another reacts in a widely opposing manner under similar circumstances, tends to group catastrophic reactive behavior into one generic and somewhat narrow category.
Table of contents
The Range of Reactive Behavior
Early Reactive Behavior Research
Early Findings Concerning Coping Ability & Catastrophe
Recent Research - The Full Scope of Reactions Realized
Future Research - Concepts of Control & Counter-Conditioning
Coping With the Twenty-First Century
From the Paper ?In the early decades of the twentieth century, Sigmund Freud introduced the world of psychology to the concept of narcissism as applied to self-esteem and individual equilibrium. Freud was intrigued by the general idea and psychological implications of narcissism, a condition that Sam Vaknin later clarified as not an actual love for one's "true self", but instead one's love of a perceived reflection or image of one's self (1999, PG). In his posited theory of narcissism, first voiced in 1914, Freud presented the idea that it is a necessity for individuals to "maintain a positive sense of self" and that this process was normally accomplished through the act of "engaging in ego-defensive behavior in order to preserve self-esteem" (Brown, 1997, p. 643). ?
Abstract This paper examines how the family assessment model is used to help a specific family cope during a crisis. It explains that a family assessment model is effective because later nursing interventions correspond to and are based in a comprehensive family assessment. The paper looks at how in the family assessment model, the patient's needs are addressed by nursing interventions that follow directly from the assessment. The paper also notes that as this model reveals, while families experience problems and stressors, they also have coping mechanisms.
Outline:
Introduction
Developmental Stage
Family Function and Structure
Family Stress, Coping and Adaptation
Family Health Care Function
Identification of Priority Family Health Education Needs
Conclusion
From the Paper "Communication patterns for the family are open and effective. This family forms a cohesive group and has developed strong links beyond the immediate nuclear family, and demonstrates deep respect towards the elderly. Sylvia and Daniel are physically affectionate and warm towards their parents. Both children also exhibit respect and obedience toward the parents. The family furthermore is able to communicate effectively with the physicians and nurses who are involved in their care."
Abstract This essay states that the Lazarus' model is a very concise theory that explains how individuals try to make sense of a stressful situation from the initial impact of the event forward. It details the primary and secondary appraisals implemented to assess the event and promotes the idea that coping resources held by the individual affected are utilized to assist in overcoming the experience. Through personal experience, the author shows that overall, the Lazarus Model provided a clear understanding of the experience and the coping mechanisms used, either consciously or unconsciously to cope with trauma.
Outline:
Description of the Incident
Description of My Emotional Experience
How Lazurus' Model Helps Make Sense of This Experience
The Aspects of My Experience Lazarus' Model Fails to Explain
How Lazarus' Model Could be Modified to Fit My Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper "When assessing my coping resources via the secondary appraisal phase in Lazarus' model, I discovered my coping mechanisms were quite healthy. I was able to take control of the situation and the stressors involved by realizing that future harm of this nature could be avoided by ending the toxic relationship I was in. Further, I realized the challenges faced by experiencing such a trauma could be turned into positive benefits, as from this negative transaction, I received all the strength and knowledge I could glean from this experience."
Abstract The paper examines coping skills that result in positive outcomes for the individual who is experiencing stress. The paper then looks at stress prevention strategies. The paper points out the fact that not only do individuals have different stressors, but each person copes with stress differently.
Outline:
Introduction
Tips For Coping With Stress
Stress Management Techniques
Stress Prevention
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The Mayo Clinic offers tips for coping with stress and states that "unusual levels of stress can negatively impact" the ability of the individual in accomplishing their goals and in the maintenance of good health. (2008) Stress is described as "the condition we experience when demands exceed our ability to cope" (Mayo Clinic, 2008) The Mayo Clinic states that it is important to identify the triggers of stress. Because the individual is unique genetically and insofar as their personality and the experiences they have had in life, the triggers that result in the individual experiencing stress are different and unique for each individual. While one individual might become stressed in a social setting, another individual would feel no stress in the same setting."
Abstract Discusses the use of COPES in career choice and development. Examines measurements of value constructs related to vocational motivation. Discusses reliability of the COPES, the internal consistency of scale scores, validity, and correlations.
From the Paper "The Career Orientation Placement and Evaluation Survey (COPES) assesses personal values to assist in self-awareness related to career development. It measures value constructs that reflect major dimensions related to ..."
Abstract This paper examines how, during the Vietnam War, soldiers were not exposed to the traditional coping mechanisms of our American society, as illustrated in Tim O?Brien's "The Things They Carried". It looks at how these men were forced to discover and invent new ways to deal with the pressures of war, using only the resources they had in the Vietnamese jungle. It was not possible for any soldier to carry many items or burdens with them, but if something was a necessity, a way was found to carry it, and coping mechanisms were a necessity to survive the war.
From the Paper "The conditions of war can be enough to drive a person to the edge of insanity, causing him or her to need something personal to bring them back to reality. They were in the war twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and the securities that each soldier had were the only things that kept them sane. Lt. Jimmy Cross repeatedly had thoughts and visions of Martha, left at home. He would read the letters she sent him and wonder about her as a tactic to keep him connected with the real world and the life he had left."
Abstract This paper is a critique of an article looking at how children cope with major and minor surgery. It looks at the effects of the type of surgery as well as the effects of focusing on the ability to predict coping.
Abstract In 'Coping Strategies Used by the Relatives of People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder', Stengler, Wenzke, Trosbach, Dietrich, and Angermeyer (2004) collectively conducted a qualitative study of the coping mechanisms employed by the family members of individuals who suffer from OCD. This essay attempts to understand as fully as possible the burden that is placed on those individuals in caring for OCD victims both in the sense of responsibility but also psychosocial ramifications.
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the book 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' is the New York odyssey of the nine-year old genius Oskar Schell who begins a detective-like quest in his attempt to make sense of the death of his father, which occurred at World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The writer points out that the main theme of the book is thus the effort to cope with the losses that came after the greatest terrorist attack in human history. The writer maintains that it is not accidental that Foer chooses a nine-year old child as the main hero and narrator of this story. Rather, Foer intentionally avoids social realism and direct psychological interpretation, seeking to coat the bitter and unthinkably sad events in the imaginative and playful discourse of a child. The writer also notes that Foer's novel revolves around the issues of coping with pain. The writer concludes that the child character who is the hero of the book makes the novel seem a fairytale more than a realist story, but his imaginative way of looking at things is in fact the main source of emotion in the text.
From the Paper "Thus, Oskar's obsession with inventing an alternative universe becomes coherent in the book's narrative structure. The child attempts to create an imaginary world where people would be safer, where nothing is impossible, and where everything has a reason. It is his way of compensating for the loss he cannot fully grip. The novel even starts up abruptly with one of Oskar's invention: a teakettle that would be able to sing, to recite Shakespeare or to imitate his father's voice. Even from these first lines thus, the boy's struggle to atone for his loss through imaginative 'tricks', is evident. Throughout the novel, there follow many other similar inventions, all having the same function. A good number of them are symbolically connected with the idea of falling or with the force of gravity. This is an obvious hint to the dreadful images of people falling off the windows of the great towers, as were seen by eye-witnesses of the attack on September 11."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the economic, social and moral pressures on the Younger family in "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry and on Miss Emily Griersen in "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner. It discusses how the characters in each work cope with these pressures.
From the Paper "Faulkner describes Miss Emily as a town tradition and obligation. No one knew exactly why, but the mayor, Colonel Sartoris, had excused her taxes dating from the death of her father in 1894, therefore for decades she never received a tax notice. When the new generation took over the city duties and found no written record of this arrangement, they tried their best to serve her notice, but she simply waved them off (Faulkner 1995). She was a Griersen and socially above any one in the town. She was a spinster by the time her father died, although she did in her middle years have a suitor of sorts for a time. Everyone thought they had married. He was seen entering the house, although he was never seen again (Faulkner 1995). Miss Emily taught china painting classes for several years to support herself. When pupils stopped coming, she was seldom, if ever seen outside her house again."
Abstract This paper discusses the issues involved with stress management. The paper outlines symptoms of stress and provides suggestions on how to avoid or deal with stressful situations. The paper describes different methods people employ for coping with stress. Various types of stress are illustrated.
From the Paper "Stress occurs whenever an individual is faced with a tense or threatening situation that requires or demands adjustment and behavioural change. When stress occurs, it is vital that an individual learns how to adjust, failing which there is the very real risk of prolonged stress ultimately leading to psychological and physical disorders. Adjustment refers to the process of coping with stress by balancing our needs and desires against the demands of the situation and making decisions based on realistic options that are available (Understanding Psychology, Chapter 11)."
