Discuss one or more strategies for coping with stress.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of one or more strategies used to cope with stress.

Relevant strategies (including models and techniques) may include, but are not limited to:

• problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies (Lazarus and Folkman, 1988; 1975)
• forms of cognitive behavioural therapy such as stress inoculation training (Meichenbaum, 1985)
• social support groups/networks (Brown and Harris, 1978)
• mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies (Kabat-Zinn, 1979).

Candidates may also address ineffective or unhealthy coping strategies, such as drug taking, alcohol abuse, smoking, overeating, or the use of defense mechanisms.

Discussion of the strategies may include, but is not limited to:

• research supporting or refuting the effectiveness of the strategy/strategies
• presenting possible methodological, ethical or cultural considerations
• a comparison and/or contrast of strategies
• strengths and limitations of the strategy/strategies.

Candidates may discuss one strategy in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge or may discuss a larger number of strategies in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.