PSYCHOLOGICAL COPING Meaning and
Definition
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Psychological coping refers to the mental and emotional strategies individuals employ to manage or adapt to difficult or challenging situations, stressors, or emotions. It involves a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes aimed at reducing or alleviating the negative impact of stressors on one's well-being.
When faced with stressful events, individuals utilize various coping mechanisms to regain a sense of control and stability, or to minimize distress. These coping strategies can be conscious or unconscious, adaptive or maladaptive. They are influenced by personal characteristics, past experiences, cultural background, and the nature of the stressor itself.
Psychological coping mechanisms can take many forms. Some people engage in problem-focused coping, which involves actively seeking solutions or taking direct action to address the source of stress. Others may rely on emotion-focused coping by attempting to regulate and manage their emotional responses, seeking support from others, or engaging in activities that provide relaxation and emotional relief. Additionally, individuals may resort to avoidance coping, which involves denying or avoiding the stressor altogether.
It is important to note that psychological coping does not necessarily eliminate stress, but rather helps individuals adapt and manage it more effectively. Different coping strategies may be more suitable for certain situations or individuals, and the effectiveness of coping mechanisms can vary depending on various factors such as personal resources, support systems, and the nature of the stressor.
Etymology of PSYCHOLOGICAL COPING
The word "psychological" comes from the Greek word "psychē", which means "soul" or "mind", and the Greek word "logos", which means "study" or "knowledge". Thus, "psychological" refers to the study or knowledge of the mind or soul.
The word "coping" is derived from the Old English word "cōpian", which means "to struggle" or "to strive". It has Middle English and Old Norse origins as well. In the context of psychology, "coping" refers to the strategies, thoughts, and behaviors individuals engage in to manage or deal with stress, challenges, or difficult situations.
Therefore, the combination of "psychological" and "coping" in "psychological coping" refers to the study or knowledge of managing and adapting psychologically to stress, challenges, or difficult situations.
