Robert and Todd have both recently been diagnosed with a serious chronic illness that will most likely present itself in late adulthood. Discuss how Robert and Todd, similarly aged peers who are exposed to the same stressor, may respond to hearing this news very differently. What are the "best" ways to cope with this news?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

For some adolescents, exposure to chronic or severe stress can result in psychological or physical difficulties. However, for others, the very same stress levels do not seem to be associated with disturbances. In general, research suggests that Robert and/or Todd will have extreme difficulties with the news of the diagnosis if there are other stressors in their lives right now, if they lack sufficient internal (high self-esteem, healthy identity development, high intelligence, strong feelings of competence) or external resources (social support from others), or if they have poorly developed coping skills. Healthy coping in this instance would be accepting the illness for what it is, especially the aspects of the disease that are uncontrollable or inevitable (secondary control strategies). Robert and/or Todd would also fare best if they focus on changing the things they can (primary control strategies) and adapting to the things that they cannot change (secondary control strategies). Indeed, individuals who use primary or secondary control strategies are better adjusted, less depressed, and less likely to have behavioral problems than those who react to stress through disengagement or avoidance.

Key Points:

a) Variety of things affect how an individual will cope with stressful news.

b) Effect of stress is exacerbated if it is accompanied by other stressors, if the adolescent lacks sufficient internal or external resources, or if the adolescent has poorly developed coping skills.

c) Two types of coping strategies: primary control and secondary control; secondary control is best only when you cannot change the situation.