A factory abruptly closes. An office worker tries to take it in stride and begins the job search. Three weeks later, he has not received a single call-back from a prospective employer despite submitting over 30 applications

Question

He is having trouble sleeping, is irritable, does not want to interact with his family, paces, and spends several hours most days in a local bar. He is now applying for minimum-wage service jobs. Which phase of the crisis is he experiencing? a. Phase 1
b. Phase 2
c. Phase 3
d. Phase 4

Answer 1

C
In phase 1, the person is anxious but beginning to make efforts to cope based on his usual coping style. In phase 2, the usual coping responses have fallen short, and anxiety continues to rise; functioning deteriorates, and coping efforts become disorganized or random. In phase 3, the random, disorganized attempts at coping have been ineffective, and anxiety has risen to severe or panic levels. Further efforts to cope are maladaptive, and the person may begin to redefine the crisis or compromise in resolving it. If the crisis does not resolve, the person enters phase 4, develops further maladaptive responses, becomes overtly depressed, and can act out violently towards others or himself. This person is in phase 3.