A social-contextual model of coping with everyday problems across the lifespan

Author(s): Meegan, S. P., Deviney, F. P.

Journal/Book: Int J Behav Dev. 1998; 22: 27 Church Rd, Hove BN3 2FA, East Sussex, England. Psychology Press. 239-261.

Abstract: The paper describes a social-contextual model of the process whereby individuals in connection with others anticipate and cope with everyday life problems. From this model, appraisal and stress are conceptualised at a variety of levels, ranging from solely individual appraisal of everyday problems to integrated and shared relational appraisal by a social unit. Coping efforts likewise range from solely individual efforts to highly collaborative efforts. Our developmental work on everyday problem solving is used to illustrate how coping efforts are embedded in a rich social context, are appraised within that context, and frequently involve the use of others in ways that extend beyond using individuals for support. Our work suggests a reorientation of stress and coping research away from documenting general developmental differences in coping strategies to understanding the process whereby individuals and others in their social context anticipate and cope with everyday fife problems. We suggest that this process is a dynamic one in which microdevelopmental change across a current coping situation and macrodevelopmental change across the lifespan are examined.

Note: Article Berg CA, Univ Utah, Dept Psychol, Salt Lake City,UT 84112 USA

Keyword(s): ADULT AGE-DIFFERENCES; PROSE RECALL; STRESS; SPAN; SELF; PERSPECTIVES; INFORMATION; MOTIVATION; STRATEGIES; ADJUSTMENT

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