Transactional Model Of Coping Essay

The theoretical framework used in this study is the transactional model of stress and coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). The conceptualization, proposed by (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), views coping as a dynamic process, specific not only to the presenting situation but also to the stage of the encounter. According to Lazarus & Folkman (1988), coping is not merely a response to tension. Instead, coping is influenced by an individual's cognitive appraisal of an event; and one's cognitive appraisal subsequently influences emotional arousal (Lazarus & Folkman, 1988).

Lazarus & Folkman (1984) view psychological stress as a relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised as potentially endangering to one's well-being. Two critical

Three appraisals make up this process, the first being the primary appraisal, which serves as a judgement of the encounter as being irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful. Primary appraisals of stressful situations can take one of the three forms: harm/loss (i.e., damage the person has sustained), threat (i.e., anticipated harms or losses), or challenge (i.e., events that hold potential for mastery or gain). The secondary appraisal is a judgement concerning what might be done; it serves as an evaluation of the benefits and consequences of a particular coping strategy , given the person's goals and constraints. Finally, the reappraisal is a successive valuation that is based on new information obtained from the environment and/or person during the circumstance. The reappraisal differs from the environment and/or person during the circumstance. The reappraisal differs from the primary appraisal only in that it follows an earlier cognitive evaluation. In summary, primary appraisals evaluate perceived control of the situation and resources available to the individual. Secondary appraisals guide the use of specific coping strategies. The effectiveness of these coping strategies determines the reappraisal, as well as the individual's psychological