Life Change Model (409)
The Life Change model was theorised by Rahe and Holmes based on their concept of stress using life changes/adjustments. Using this concept, the social readjustment rating scale was developed. This scale rated these life changes are based on the impact they would have. Figure 3 is the rating scale that was created in 1967. It was hypothesised that people who experienced more major life events were more likely to experience illness.
Figure 3: The social readjustment rating scale
There was some evidence to support certain ratings on this scale. In 2013 a study was conducted on “The effect of Unexpected Bereavement on Mortality in Older Couples.”5 The study indicated that unexpected bereavement of a spouse has a higher …show more content…
The approach method is effective as it deals with the stressor directly however it does lead to increased suffering. Regarding avoidance, it is effective as it reduces stress provides more time before dealing with a problem though it can lead to emotional numbness. Figure 5 illustrates these points and other benefits and costs of these styles.
Figure 5: Potential costs and benefits of approach and avoidance
Once the coping style has been decided a more specific strategy needs to follow. There is problem focussed and emotion focussed copying strategies. Each has behavioural strategies and cognitive strategies. Table 1 below contains some of the common examples for each.
Table 1: Coping strategies (based on Lazarus & Folkman &, 1980)
Problem focussed
Emotion focussed
Behavioural …show more content…
When these coping strategies are successful or positive then a psychological alteration will occur. On the contrary, unsuccessful coping can lead to anxiety/depression or even exacerbate a current illness.
The separation of primary and secondary appraisals has aspects of interdependency that the model does not recognise. However, having a model that considers so many different aspects such as the individual’s thought process, various coping strategies and both negative and positive outcomes.
Mindfulness
Per the social readjustment rating scale, the death of a spouse has the greatest impact on a person’s life. These widowers/widows are most likely to get a physical and mental illness such as depression or even death. In 2013, a controlled pilot study by Maja O’Connor and others observed “The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Bereaved People with Loss-Related Distress.” The study tested the effects of not only post-traumatic stress but also grief, depression and their working memory with long-term bereavement-related
The Life Change model was theorised by Rahe and Holmes based on their concept of stress using life changes/adjustments. Using this concept, the social readjustment rating scale was developed. This scale rated these life changes are based on the impact they would have. Figure 3 is the rating scale that was created in 1967. It was hypothesised that people who experienced more major life events were more likely to experience illness.
Figure 3: The social readjustment rating scale
There was some evidence to support certain ratings on this scale. In 2013 a study was conducted on “The effect of Unexpected Bereavement on Mortality in Older Couples.”5 The study indicated that unexpected bereavement of a spouse has a higher …show more content…
The approach method is effective as it deals with the stressor directly however it does lead to increased suffering. Regarding avoidance, it is effective as it reduces stress provides more time before dealing with a problem though it can lead to emotional numbness. Figure 5 illustrates these points and other benefits and costs of these styles.
Figure 5: Potential costs and benefits of approach and avoidance
Once the coping style has been decided a more specific strategy needs to follow. There is problem focussed and emotion focussed copying strategies. Each has behavioural strategies and cognitive strategies. Table 1 below contains some of the common examples for each.
Table 1: Coping strategies (based on Lazarus & Folkman &, 1980)
Problem focussed
Emotion focussed
Behavioural …show more content…
When these coping strategies are successful or positive then a psychological alteration will occur. On the contrary, unsuccessful coping can lead to anxiety/depression or even exacerbate a current illness.
The separation of primary and secondary appraisals has aspects of interdependency that the model does not recognise. However, having a model that considers so many different aspects such as the individual’s thought process, various coping strategies and both negative and positive outcomes.
Mindfulness
Per the social readjustment rating scale, the death of a spouse has the greatest impact on a person’s life. These widowers/widows are most likely to get a physical and mental illness such as depression or even death. In 2013, a controlled pilot study by Maja O’Connor and others observed “The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Bereaved People with Loss-Related Distress.” The study tested the effects of not only post-traumatic stress but also grief, depression and their working memory with long-term bereavement-related