Cognitive Approaches to Stress and Coping

Treatment/Intervention Research

Research has shown that individuals who have intrusive thoughts when encountering stressors or who avoid stress in general are poorly adjusted^[32*], whereas those individuals using more active, constructive, and prosocial coping methods experience better psychological adjustment and engage in healthier behaviors^[33*]. To address the potentially debilitating coping methods that result in poor adjustment, it has been suggested that the therapeutic process should encourage an alteration of the client's interpretations of stress^[34]. Not surprisingly, then, pertinent treatment/intervention research has centered on replacing an individual's maladaptive cognitions and methods of coping. The main treatment approaches have been empirically tested, and include cognitive restructuring and stress inoculation training, which typically includes a cognitive restructuring component. We first review studies in behavioral medicine, which is followed by a review of treatment investigations that are specific to PTSD.

Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2002;15(6) © 2002  2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Cite this: Cognitive Approaches to Stress and Coping - Medscape - Nov 01, 2002.