Family Coping Skills, Coping Strategies

Family

Coping Skills, Coping Strategies and Problem Solving.

This chapter discusses the importance of good coping skills and therefore it's inclusion in the study of Human Ecology- man's interaction with the environment. It outlines what are good copers, coping strategies and coping patterns. These make up one of the adaptations to stress. Good coping is "associated with defining the problem clearly and applying coping strategies at the right time, at the right place and by the right person." (p.90). Self-instruction is the key quality of good copers. It allows the individual to make good decisions, to adjust when the problem changes and to learn from experience. Good coping strategies involves being able to identify problems that the individual has the knowledge to solve. Everyone learns coping strategies from early in life as we learn to use coping behavior to deal with developmental tasks throughout the life span. Some of the strategies that good copers use include having information, communicating and thinking well and having courage. Coping patterns have been studied in a variety of situations- teenage pregnancy, conflict between parents and teenagers, etc. Three basic dimensions of coping revealed- approach avoidance, channeling energy and diversion. In these challenging situations, especially for low-income families, if the people are given the opportunity to learn life coping skills they will have a better approach to life.

Human Ecology study is therefore important so that people can be taught coping strategies so that they will be able to interact positively with the environment.

Chapter 9. Quality of Life

This chapter explains the 'quality of life' phrase which was born in the 1970s, and relates it to coping skills and why it must be an important aspect of Human Ecology study. Each person and family defines their own quality of life. The Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) was developed to measure quality of life. It uses indicators such as life expectancy, literacy and infant mortality of nations around the world to develop an index of well-being. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1972 identified quality of life components in six environmental areas- economic, political, social, health, natural and physical. Coping behavior is one characteristic of quality of life as seeking an improved quality of life involves making good decisions, meeting one's needs and having greater access to resources. Basic human rights -- the right to be born, right to develop to full intellectual potential, right to full access to resources of the nation and right to live a satisfying life are included in conceptualizing quality of life. In the Human Ecological approach to quality of life individuals and families must be assisted to strengthen their abilities to reach their full potential. Human Ecology study therefore seeks to train leaders who understand basic human needs and will be able to help individuals and families to secure their basic needs through policy approaches and community services.

Chapter 16. International Study of Human Ecology and Quality of Life.