Coping practice questions.

A cyclist reads the start list and thinks: 'I have beaten two of these riders before and my climbing has improved.' Which part of Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model is this?

• Primary appraisal, because the demand is being judged as threatening
• Emotion-focused coping, because the feeling is being managed
• Problem-focused coping, because the race plan is being changed
• Secondary appraisal, because coping resources are being weighed up

Answer: Secondary appraisal, because coping resources are being weighed up

Primary appraisal asks whether the event matters and is threatening; secondary appraisal asks what the athlete can bring to it. Stress arises when the demands identified in the first judgement outweigh the resources identified in the second.

A hockey player finds it stressful that she keeps arriving late to training after work. Which action is an example of problem-focused coping?

• Negotiating an earlier finish so that she reaches training on time
• Listening to music on the journey to feel calmer about arriving
• Telling herself that being late does not really matter to anyone
• Avoiding thinking about training until she is inside the changing room

Answer: Negotiating an earlier finish so that she reaches training on time

Problem-focused coping acts on the stressor itself, here the scheduling clash, whereas the other three responses manage the emotional reaction while leaving the demand in place. Only the first option removes the cause of the stress.

A rugby player who was left out of the starting line-up asks the coach which parts of his game need work, trains on them for two weeks and now sees selection as a target rather than a threat. Which step of the transactional model is that change of view?

• Primary appraisal, because he is judging for the first time whether selection matters
• Reappraisal, because the situation is judged again after coping has been attempted
• Secondary appraisal, because he is counting up the resources he can bring to it
• Emotion-focused coping, because the feeling of being rejected is being soothed

Answer: Reappraisal, because the situation is judged again after coping has been attempted

The model is a cycle rather than a sequence that ends with coping: after a strategy has been used, the athlete appraises the same situation again, and a threat can become a challenge without the demand itself changing. The first two appraisals happen before coping, which is what separates them from this step.

An hour before a final a basketball player reports rapid breathing and tight shoulders but no negative thoughts. Which stress management technique targets that profile?

• Thought stopping, which interrupts a chain of negative statements
• Rational self-talk, which replaces a negative belief with evidence
• Progressive muscular relaxation, which lowers muscular tension
• Outcome goal setting, which fixes the target result for the game

Answer: Progressive muscular relaxation, which lowers muscular tension

Somatic symptoms respond to somatic techniques such as progressive muscular relaxation, breathing control and biofeedback, whereas thought stopping and rational self-talk act on the cognitive component. Matching the technique to the component that is actually raised is the requirement in this sub-topic.

After each double fault a tennis player repeats 'let it go, next point' to herself instead of dwelling on the mistake. Which coping category does this use of self-talk belong to?

• Problem-focused coping, because the underlying technical fault is corrected
• Emotion-focused coping, because only the reaction to the error is managed
• Primary appraisal, because she is judging how threatening the score is
• Secondary appraisal, because her coping resources are being weighed up

Answer: Emotion-focused coping, because only the reaction to the error is managed

The words change nothing about the demand - the next serve still has to be hit at the same score - so this is emotion-focused coping, which regulates the reaction through attention, reappraisal or relaxation. Problem-focused coping would alter the situation itself, for example changing the tactic or rebuilding the ball toss between games.

An injured footballer is talked through each stage of her rehabilitation programme by the club physiotherapist. Which type of social support is being provided?

• Informational support, in the form of advice and explanation
• Emotional support, in the form of comfort, listening and reassurance
• Tangible support, in the form of practical or material help
• Esteem support, in the form of raising belief in ability

Answer: Informational support, in the form of advice and explanation

Informational support supplies advice, explanation and feedback about how to cope, while emotional, esteem and tangible support address feelings, confidence and practical needs. Naming the type matters because uncertainty about the rehabilitation process is reduced by explanation rather than by sympathy.