Assessment of stress and coping in the family: Self-monitoring as a new approach

Author(s): Berger, R., Wilhelm, P.

Journal/Book: Psychol Erzieh Unterricht. 1998; 45: Kemnatenstrasse 46, D-80639 Munich 19, Germany. Ernst Reinhardt GmbH Co Verlag. 19-35.

Abstract: This contribution begins with a discussion of current family stress research with reference to their stress concept and their preference for questionnaire based methods. A new method is then presented for the computer aided self observation of stress experience and stress coping in families. All family members (older than 13) protocol, using a palmtop computer, characteristics of their own and,other behaviour seven times a day according to a time and event Sampling schedule. In stress situations that are characterised by an adaptive need the ramified program poses questions about individual and social coping reactions. First finding of the computer and booklet version are presented concerning objectivity, reliability and reactivity of the method. In addition, characteristic values are given for the time lag between the requested and the actual protocolling moment and for duration of the data entry. The results show that this method is capable of recording characteristics of stress experiences in families. In conclusion, problems of this methodology are briefly discussed, with particular attention to possible reactive effects.

Note: Article Perrez M, Univ Fribourg, Inst Psychol, Rue de Faucigny 2, CH-1700 Fribourg, SWITZERLAND

Keyword(s): stress; computer-aided assessment; family; self-monitoring; coping; TIME

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