Coping Response Inventory:

Subject’s Initial: SG

Subject’s Age: 22 years old

Subject’s Gender: Male

INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION:
The Psychological Assessment was administered on the
subject SG, who was a 22years old male pursing his masters in
Chennai. He is belongs to a lower middle class nuclear family in
a rural area. The subject was seated comfortably and the
instructions were given.
The aim of this assessment was to assess how an individual
manage the important problems in life i.e., coping style of the
subject through Coping Response Inventory. Coping Response
Inventory (CRI) Adult form developed by Rudolf.H.Moos .The
assessment consist of two parts; Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 1, the
subject has to briefly describe the most important problem or
stressful situation he/she experienced in the last 12 months, in
the space provided in the answer sheet. If the subject has not
experienced a major problem, list a minor problem that he/she
has had to deal with. Then the following 10 questions are to be
answered, about the problem or situation, by circling the
appropriate response. In part 2, there are 48 items which
assess two different types of coping responses related to
stressful life circumstances. The CRI divides Coping responses
into approach and avoidance responses and each of two
categories reflects Cognitive and behavioral coping strategies.
For example, " Did you think of different ways to deal with the
Problem" and "Did you try to forget the whole thing" to the CRI,
individuals select a four-point varying from "not at all" to "fairly
often" to rate their reliance on each of 48 Coping response
items (Chinaveh, 2014)
Moos ( 2004 ) has created the inventory that considers the
focus of coping and divides the Coping responses into approach
responses and avoidance responses. Each of two sets of coping
responses is divided into two Categories that reflect Cognitive
or behavioural Coping methods . Approach coping is a problem
- focused and represents cognitive and behavioural efforts to
master or resolve life stressors. In contrast, avoidance Coping
tends to be emotion - focused , it reflects Cognitive and
behavioural attempts to avoid thinking about a stressor and its
implications, or to manage the effect associated with Stressor.
Accordingly, Coping Response Inventory (ERI- Adult) assesses
four sets of Coping skills : Cognitive approach, behavioural
approach, cognitive avoidance and behavioural avoidance. CRI
is designed to identify and assess specific approaches and
avoidance responses that are used to confront stress in
stressful situations (Chinavch, 2014)
 Stress arises from the relationship between Individuals and
one or many unfavorable situations that are perceived as
exceeding their own resources. The concept of coping refers to
the cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage internal or
external Stressful demands, which can be appraised as
aggravating or exceeding personal resources. Coping is thus
presented as a stabilizing factor that may help individuals
maintain their psychosocial adaptation during periods of high
levels of stress, working as a mediating or regulatory variable
on the destabilizing effects of Stress (Lazarus & Folkman, 1986).
The Coping model proposed by Moos introduces two Coping
styles. The first one represents the Problem - focused coping,
also known as approach strategy, and it comprises logical
analysis (LA), Positive reappraisal (PR) , Seeking guidance and
support (SG), and problem-solving (PS) Strategies , which
contribute to actively resolve stressors.
The second style represents the emotion - focused coping,
also known as avoidance strategy, and comprises Cognitive
avoidance (CA), acceptance/resignation (AR), Seeking
alternative rewards (SR) and emotional discharge (ED)
strategies, aimed at avoiding thinking of a stressor and its
implications (Vanotti Et Al., 2021). From a social ecological
conceptual framework, the CRI - A Combines the two Coping
perspectives, assessing both the Coping orientation or focus
and the Coping method (Moos, 1993).
The Subject SG has reported that he had a major problem of
adapting to new city, especially he is missing his friends and
family. He is quiet and introverted person. He can adapt to
new place, but it is a bit hard for him. When he moved to
Chennai for pursuing his PG degree. He reported that he is
nervous and lonely.
In the first subscale Logical Analysis (LA), the subject SG scored
a total raw score of 13 with corresponding T-score of 55. This
can be interpreted as well above average. Logical analysis
refers to the cognitive attempts to understand and prepare
mentally for a stressor and its consequences. The scores in LA
indicate that the subject SG is very well able to understand and
mentally prepare to face a stressor and its consequences.
In the second subscale Positive Reappraisal (PR), the subject SG
scored a total raw score of 16 with corresponding T-score 62
which can be interpreted as well above average. Positive
Reappraisal involves cognitive attempt to accept, interpret and
analyze the problem in a positive light. Scores in PR indicates
that Subject SG is very well able to build and restructure a
problem I a positive way while still accepting the reality of a
situation. It involves reframing one’s thoughts into more
rational responses or focusing on the “Silver lining “a situation.

In the third Subscale Seeking Guidance and Support (SG),

Subject SG obtained a total raw score of 6 with corresponding
T-score 42 which can be interpreted as below average. The
subject SG tends to resolve his problem instead of seeking
guidance and support from friends and family and so on. The
subject SG utilizes his coping skills which include doing his own
research to understand his problems.

In the fourth subscale Problem Solving (PS), The subject SG

obtained the total raw score of 11 with corresponding T-score
50 which can be interpreted as average. Problem solving
represent behavioral attempts to take actions to deal directly
with the problem. The scores indicates the subject SG is good in
taking action to deal with problem in a direct way.

In the fifth subscale Cognitive Avoidance (CG), The subject SG

has scored a total raw score of 5 with corresponding T-score 46
which can be interpreted as below average. Cognitive
Avoidance refers to the tendency to overlook the problem and
avoid thinking realistically about the problem acting as if it does
not exist. The scores indicates the subject does not avoid his
problem. Even though he tends to work alone , he doesn’t
avoid his problems.
In the sixth subscale Acceptance/Resignation (AR), the subject
SG has scored a total raw score of 7 with corresponding T-score
49 which can be interpreted as average. Acceptance /
Resignation represents Cognitive attempts to react to the
problem by accepting it. The scores indicates that the subject
SG has moderate ability to make every effort to stay engaged
with the important goals that give structure to his life.
Acceptance can be an adaptation to unchangeable negative
events by helping to maintain the individual’s well-being and
capacity to act. It means to face the reality even if it doesn’t fit
one’s expectations or desires and willingness to deal with this
reaity nevertheless. Resignation is coping mechanism for the
emotional and psychological processing of difficult
circumstance or information, this is a passive acceptance.
Though resignation can help regulate emotions, it becomes
problematic when this condition become chronic. It is the first
reaction, but not the solution.
In the seventh subscale Seeking alternative Rewards (SR), the
subject SG has scored a total raw score of 17 with
corresponding T-score 76 which can be interpreted as
considerably well above average. Seeking alternative rewards
represents behavioural efforts to get involved in alternative
activities and look for other sources of gratification. The scores
indicates that the subject SG tends to engage in substitute
activities and create new sources of satisfaction.
In the eigth subscale Emotional Discharge (ED), the subject SG
has scored a total raw score of 8 with corresponding T-score 62
which can be interpreted as above average. Emotional
Discharge is the behaviuoral attempts to reduce stress by
venting out negative emotions. The scores that the subject SG
has very good ability in reducing tension by venting negative
feeling. It involves the vivid evocation or re-living of painful and
distressing experiences. It is held to disperse negative
emotions, to allow an increased responsiveness to the here and
now situation as well as improved access to past experiences
and to fscilitate the emergence of new ways of being.

Group discussion
Coping Response Inventory-Adult Form was administered to
10 subjects out of which 7 are females and 3 are males. The aim
of the assessment was to measure the different types of Coping
responses to stressful life Circumstances. Moos (2004) divided
coping responses into approach responses and avoidance
responses. Each of two sets of coping responses is divided into
two categories that reflect cognitive or behavioural Coping
methods. Approach coping comprises Logical Analysis (LA),
Positive Reappraisal (PR), Seeking Guidance and Support (SG)
and Problem- Solving (PS). Avoidance Coping Comprises
Cognitive avoidance (CA), Acceptance or Resignation (AR),
Seeking Alternative Rewards (SR) and Emotional Discharge (ED).
In Logical Analysis (LA), Subject AA and obtained Considerably
above average score with T-Score 67. Subject AV obtained well
above average score with T-Score 62. Subjects SG and JVM
obtained somewhat above average Score with T-Score 55 each.
Subjects BVM and SD obtained average score with T-Score 52
and 50 respectively. Subjects HPS, GJ and SS obtained
Somewhat below average with T-Scores 52, 44 and 50
respectively. Subject OB obtained well below average score
with T-score 39. Logical analysis refers to the Cognitive
attempts to understand and prepare mentally for a stressor and
its Consequences.
In positive reappraisal (PR), subjects AV, SD and SG obtained
well above average scores with T-scores 65, 60 and 55
respectively. Subject AA obtained somewhat above average
with T-score 56. Subjects UB, BVM, HPS, GT, SS and JVM
obtained an average score with T-scores 49, 51, 49, 53, 60 and
53 respectively. Positive involves Cognitive attempts to accept,
interpret and analyse the problem in a positive way.
In seeking guidance and support (SG), Subject AV obtained
well above average score with T-score 65. Subjects UB and SD
obtained somewhat above average scores with T-scores 59
each. Subjects SS and JVM obtained an average score with T-
scores 49 each. Subject SG obtained somewhat below average
score. Subject BVM obtained well below average score.
Subjects AA and GT obtained somewhat above average subject
HPS obtained considerably below average with T-score 34
seeking guidance and support refers to behavioural efforts to
seek information, guidance or support from friends, family and
relatives.
In Problem-Solving, subject AV obtained Considerably above
average, subject AA obtained well above average, subjects BVM
and SS obtained somewhat above average, subjects SD and SG
obtained an average score, subject JVM obtained somewhat
below average and subject HPS retained considerably below
average. Problem-Solving represents behavioural attempts to
take action to deal directly with problems.
In cognitive avoidance, Subjects AA, AV, GJ ad JVM obtained
well above average scores, subjects BVM, SD, SS obtained
somewhat above average, subjects JPS and SG obtained an
average score, and Subject UB obtained well below average.
Cognitive avoidance refers to the tendency to overlook the
problem and avoid thinking realistically about the problem
acting as if it does not exist.
In acceptance or resignation (AR) subjects SD and JVM
obtained considerably above average, subject SG obtained
somewhat above average, subjects AA, AV, UB, HPS, GJ and SG
obtained an average score and subject BVM obtained
somewhat below average score. Acceptance or resignation
represents cognitive attempts to react to the problems by
accepting it.
In Seeking alternative rewards, subjects AV, GJ and SG obtained
considerably above average, Subjects AA, SD and SS obtained
well above average, subjects UB, BVM, HPS and JVM obtained
an average score. Seeking alternative rewards refer to
behavioural efforts to get involved in alternative activities and
look for other sources of gratification.
In emotional discharge (ED), Subjects AV and SD obtained
considerably above average score, subjects AV, GJ, SS and SG
obtained well above average, subjects BVM, HPS and JVM
obtained average score and subject UB obtained somewhat
below average sure. Emotional discharge is the behavioural
attempts to reduce stress by venting out negative emotions.
The majority of the group tends to use more approach
coping response than avoidance coping response.

Conclusion
1. The subject SG has more tendency to use approach coping
response than avoidance coping response.
2. The subject SG tends to use more behavioural approach
coping than cognitive approach coping.
3. The subject SG tends to use more behavioural avoidance
coping than cognitive avoidance coping.
4. The subject SG tends to use more cognitive approach
coping than cognitive avoidance coping.
5. The subject SG tends to use less behavioural approach
coping than behavioural avoidance coping.
6. The group as a whole tends to use more approach coping
response than avoidance coping response.
7. The group as a whole use more of cognitive approach
coping than behaviour approach coping.
8. The group as a whole tends to use less of behavioural
avoidance coping than cognitive avoidance coping.
9. The group as a whole tends to use less of cognitive
avoidance coping than cognitive approach coping.
10. The group as a whole tends to use less of behavioural
avoidance coping than behavioural approach coping.
Reference :
Chinaveh, M. (2014). A comparison of Type-A and Type-B
Learners in the perception of stress level and use of coping
responses in the Campus. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 143, 384-388.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R. S., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A.,
& Gruen, R. J. (1986). Dynamics of a stressful encounter:
cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes. Journal
of personality and social psychology, 50(5), 992.
Vanotti, S., Cabral, N., Eizaguirre, M. B., Marinangeli, A.,
Roman, M. S., Alonso, R., ... & Garcea, O. (2021). Coping
strategies: Seeking personalized care in relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis. A patient reported measure–coping
responses inventory. Multiple Sclerosis Journal–
Experimental, Translational and Clinical, 7(1),
2055217320987588.
Moos, R. H. (1995). Development and applications of new
measures of life stressors, social resources, and coping
responses. European Journal of Psychological
Assessment, 11(1), 1-13.