Approaches towards studying the concept of coping behavior in Russian and foreign scientific research

Abstract

The subject of this research is the phenomenon of coping behavior in Russian and foreign scientific research. The object of this research is the approaches towards studying the concept of coping behavior. The goal lies in the attempt to systematize the approaches towards studying the concept of coping behavior in Russian and foreign scientific research. Methodology is based on the scientific-analytical review on the topic of coping behavior in the works of Russian and foreign researchers. The novelty lies in detailed examination such aspect as the approaches towards studying the concept of coping behavior in scientific research. It is underlined that the problem of coping behavior has been studied in foreign psychology since the 1960s; however, in Russian literature it is a fairly new direction. The theoretical framework for foreign research is comprised of the existing representations on the nature of psychological defense mechanisms, cognitive strategies, and stresses. Special attention is given to explanation why some individuals a resilient to stress, while others face difficulties to overcome stressful states. The author’s contribution lies in consideration of foreign experience and representations on the nature of psychological defense mechanisms, cognitive strategies, and stresses. The article analyzes coping behavior using the concepts of psychological defense, personal determinants, problem event, style of coping, pathological processes, and stress factor. The main conclusion is as follows: initially, an individual identifies a problem event as dangerous and unstable; and then, for choosing the way of coping, assesses the impact and characteristics of stress factor, and personal traits.