Theoretical note: When is a coping strategy not a coping strategy?

Journal/Book: Anxiety Stress Coping. 1998; 11: C/O Stbs Ltd, PO Box 90, Reading, Berks, England RG1 8JL. Harwood Acad Publ GmbH. 81-87.

Abstract: This paper discusses the issue of differentiating between cognitive coping behaviors and appraisal processes. Although these can be separated in theory, and experimental procedures can manipulate appraisals independantly of coping, it is difficult to separate these constructs in naturalistic studies on appraisal and coping responses to real life stressors. The ability to separate these constructs requires knowledge of an individual's precise motivation, an age-old stumbling block in psychological research. It is proposed that, at least in naturalistic studies on stress, appraisal and coping, perhaps the best that can be achieved is to record a particular behavior and report it as such, without attempting to guess at the motivation underlying it.

Note: Article Troop NA, Inst Psychiat, Dept Psychiat, Eating Disorders Unit, de Crespigny Pk, London SE5 8AF, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): coping; appraisal; motivation; DEFENSIVE PESSIMISM; DEPRESSION

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