Quote: “People’s coping strategies vary according to their appraisal of the situation. Those who believe that their situation will not change unless they do something about it, that change is desirable, and that they have control over their situation, tend to deal with their trauma by task-focused coping, whereas those who believe their situation cannot be changed tend to resort to avoidance as a way of coping.”
- Avoidance coping: Avoidance is a common reaction to trauma, especially when a stressful situation is perceived to be unchanging and uncontrollable. Short-term avoidance can be a survival technique, but long-term avoidance can preclude the possibility of moving on from trauma.
- Task-focused coping: Practical strategies to be solved after trauma (do something about it, one step at a time, try to come up with a strategy, seek advice from others)
- Emotion-focused coping: Strategies to confront and manage emotions (i.e. physical exercise, relaxation, talking with others, actively focusing on the positive – list of things grateful for – research shows that people who are more appreciative have more adaptive ways of coping)
- Seeking Social Support from Others: Retreat to the safety of our community for protection
- People have a compelling need to talk after trauma – like a fever after infection – the mind’s way of healing itself
- Storytelling: What we tell ourselves and others, and the way we choose to understand events in our lives shapes the way we behave (victim vs. survivor). Stories that construct meaning and retain hope will lead towards growth.
