Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Running head: TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
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1TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
Executive Summary
While a significant amount of stress is required for the performance of daily life activities with
alertness and concentration, excessive stress may lead to harmful symptoms in the physiological
as well as psychological platforms within the individual. Excessive stress often compels one to
undertake health behaviors which are harmful to health. The transactional model of stress and
coping has been documented as a beneficial method of coping with stressor considering the
changing interactions between an individual and his or her environment. For the management of
harmful health behavior of alcohol consumption, the transactional model has been used to chalk
out a plan for the purpose of stress management and garnering social support.

2TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................3
Effect of Stress on Health Behavior................................................................................3
Application of Transactional Model................................................................................4
Primary Appraisal........................................................................................................4
Secondary Appraisal....................................................................................................4
Coping Efforts.............................................................................................................5
Outcomes of Coping (Adaptation)...............................................................................5
Dispositional Coping Styles........................................................................................6
Confidence to Change......................................................................................................6
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................7
References............................................................................................................................8
Appendix: Proposed Plan for Stress Management and Social Support (As designed by the
Author).............................................................................................................................................9

3TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS AND COPING
Introduction
Stress is the natural response exhibited by the human body during challenging situations
or circumstances which are perceived to be harmful or threatening. While a certain amount of
stress is required for everyday functioning and alertness, excessive stress can lead to harmful
health consequences and performance of harmful behaviors. Hence, adequate management of
stress is of utmost importance for ensuring positive health outcomes (de Frias & Whyne, 2015).
The following paragraphs of this report aim to shed light on the harmful effects of stress
in health and behavior and the usage of the transactional model of stress and coping for the
purpose of reduction of harmful health behaviors. The chosen harmful health behavior is
excessive alcohol consumption and the goal is to use transactional model to reduce this
consumption to acceptable levels as per women.
Discussion
Effect of Stress on Health Behavior
During prolonged periods of lack of treatment, excessive stress can lead to detrimental
symptoms such as loss of sleep, tiredness or fatigue, headaches, muscle spasms, gastrointestinal
disorders, chest pains and tightening, difficulties in breathing and loss of sexual drive. Excessive
stress also leads to detrimental emotional and cognitive changes such as constant feelings of
anger and irritability, inability to concentrate, lack of motivation or optimism, depression and
feelings of restlessness (Dhabhar 2014). Untreated stress further aggravates to performance of
unhealthy behaviors such as frequent conflicts with friends and family, outbursts of irritability
and anger, avoidance of social interactions and preference towards social isolation, excessive or