BACKGROUND: Emotion- and problem-focused coping strategies are frequently employed by caregivers of autistic children to increase their general well-being and resilience to the stress of raising the child. Although these strategies cannot directly address the situation, it is useful for handling stressful situations that cannot change OBJECTIVES: The study seeks to explore and understand the emotion- and problem-focused strategies that caregivers use to cope with the challenges of raising a child with autism METHOD: This was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research study. Twenty-eight caregivers were purposive-convenient sampled from the public special schools where their autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children are schooling. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data, which were then transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis RESULTS: Positive emotion-focused strategies include positive reappraisal, reframing and acceptance. Negative emotion-focused strategies include denial, emotional release, cognitive distortion, self-isolation, overprotection, negative self-talk, punishment and religion. Problem-focused coping strategies include active and adaptive coping, peer group, professional support and social support CONCLUSION: The coping methods that have been identified can be integrated into intervention programmes and serve as a guide for specialised institutions that offer more extensive knowledge and assistance to families who are caring for children with ASD CONTRIBUTION: The study contributes to understanding the emotion- and problem-focused strategies adopted by rural caregivers in managing their emotions, interpretation of the situation and adjusting to the demands of raising an autistic child

Limited research focusing on the cognitive strategies that support the resilience of teachers in a world pandemic has been conducted. By employing a sequential explanatory mixed method research design, this study was undertaken to investigate how cognitive coping strategies supported teacher resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. For data collection/generation and capturing/documentation, an online questionnaire (Phase 1, quantitative) was completed by 240 urban school teachers, and online participatory focus groups (Phase 2, qualitative) with 24 of these respondents were facilitated. In support, observation, audio-recordings, field notes and a reflective journal augmented data generation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis of the quantitative data, and a hybrid thematic analysis approach was followed to analyse the qualitative data. Thereafter, the quantitative and qualitative results were integrated to achieve the purpose of the study. The results from analyses included the Spearman correlation coefficient which tested a value of 0.327 (p-value = < 0.001), indicating a significant and positive correlation between problem-focused coping and resilience. Cognitive strategies indicated to support resilience included active coping, planning, suppression of competing activities, restraint coping, seeking of instrumental social support and nurturing a growth mindset. The cognitive strategies identified in this study informs good practice principles and can direct the professional training of both psychologists and educators. Future research and interventions aimed at promoting teacher resilience by employing cognitive coping strategies may be conducted based on the findings of the study.

Resumo: O tema da endometriose e dor tem implicações relevantes para a saúde das mulheres. O artigo procura contextualizar a experiência subjetiva e os efeitos da dor, os métodos para lidar com essas questões e as necessidades das mulheres afetadas por essa condição na Áustria. Foi escolhida uma abordagem qualitativa para examinar esses temas. Foram realizadas entrevistas focadas em problemas com dez mulheres com história de endometriose. Após a transcrição do material, foi realizada a análise qualitativa do conteúdo. Assim, os achados são retratados com o uso de categorias relacionadas ao conteúdo. Os resultados mostram que pensamentos e sentimentos negativos como medo, desesperança e raiva estão associados com a endometriose e dor. Além disso, são encontrados impactos e mudanças predominantemente negativos em vários domínios da vida, tais como o bem-estar e o estado psicológicos das mulheres afetadas, a atitude geral em relação à vida, parcerias, vida social, tempo de lazer e equilíbrio entre trabalho e vida pessoal. Tanto a medicina ocidental quanto os tratamentos da medicina complementar são utilizados no manejo da endometriose e da dor. O apoio do círculo próximo de amigas e as trocas e interação com outras pessoas afetadas pela doença são vistos como extremamente úteis. Os médicos atendentes e as próprias pacientes e seus ambientes privados, sociais e laborais devem incentivar a comunicação aberta sobre a endometriose e a dor associada.

Abstract: The topics of endometriosis and pain imply far-reaching problems for women’s health. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper addresses the subjective experience and effects of pain, the methods for dealing with these issues, and the needs of affected women in Austria. Data were collected by problem-focused interviews conducted with ten women suffering from endometriosis, which were later transcribed and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Findings are therefore described using content-related categories. Results show that negative thoughts and feelings like fear, despair, and anger are associated with endometriosis and pain. Moreover, predominantly negative impacts and changes are found in various areas of life, such as the well-being and psyche of those affected, their attitude towards life in general, partnerships, social life, leisure time and work-life balance. In dealing with endometriosis and pain, both Western biomedicine and complementary medicine treatments are used. Support from one’s inner circle of friends and exchange and interaction with others affected by the disease are seen to be invaluable. Attending physicians as well as patients themselves and their private, social, and working environment should encourage open communication about endometriosis and the related pain.

Resumen: La endometriosis y su dolor asociado implican problemas profundos para la salud de las mujeres. El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar la experiencia subjetiva y los efectos del dolor, los métodos para tratarlos, así como las necesidades de las mujeres afectadas en Austria. Para el examen de los temas mencionados anteriormente, se eligió un enfoque de investigación cualitativo. Las entrevistas enfocadas en los problemas se realizaron con diez mujeres que sufrían endometriosis. Tras la transcripción material de los datos, el análisis se realizó usando un análisis cualitativo de contenido. Por lo tanto, los resultados se describen usando categorías relacionadas con el contenido. Los resultados muestran que los pensamientos negativos y los sentimientos como miedo, desesperación, y enfado están conectados con la endometriosis y el dolor. Además, predominantemente se encontraron impactos negativos y cambios en varias áreas de la vida, tales como: bienestar, psique de quienes se veían afectadas, su actitud ante la vida en general, relaciones, vida social, equilibrio entre tiempo de ocio y trabajo. Para enfrentarse a la endometriosis y el dolor, se utilizan tratamientos biomédicos occidentales, así como medicina complementaria. El apoyo del círculo íntimo de los afectados, como son los amigos, así como el intercambio e interacción con otras personas afectadas por la enfermedad parecen ser muy útiles. Ir al médico, el entorno privado, social y laboral de las pacientes, así como ellas mismas, deben estar y ser animadas para una comunicación abierta sobre la endometriosis y el dolor relacionado con la misma.

Resumo: O tema da endometriose e dor tem implicações relevantes para a saúde das mulheres. O artigo procura contextualizar a experiência subjetiva e os efeitos da dor, os métodos para lidar com essas questões e as necessidades das mulheres afetadas por essa condição na Áustria. Foi escolhida uma abordagem qualitativa para examinar esses temas. Foram realizadas entrevistas focadas em problemas com dez mulheres com história de endometriose. Após a transcrição do material, foi realizada a análise qualitativa do conteúdo. Assim, os achados são retratados com o uso de categorias relacionadas ao conteúdo. Os resultados mostram que pensamentos e sentimentos negativos como medo, desesperança e raiva estão associados com a endometriose e dor. Além disso, são encontrados impactos e mudanças predominantemente negativos em vários domínios da vida, tais como o bem-estar e o estado psicológicos das mulheres afetadas, a atitude geral em relação à vida, parcerias, vida social, tempo de lazer e equilíbrio entre trabalho e vida pessoal. Tanto a medicina ocidental quanto os tratamentos da medicina complementar são utilizados no manejo da endometriose e da dor. O apoio do círculo próximo de amigas e as trocas e interação com outras pessoas afetadas pela doença são vistos como extremamente úteis. Os médicos atendentes e as próprias pacientes e seus ambientes privados, sociais e laborais devem incentivar a comunicação aberta sobre a endometriose e a dor associada.

Abstract: The topics of endometriosis and pain imply far-reaching problems for women’s health. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper addresses the subjective experience and effects of pain, the methods for dealing with these issues, and the needs of affected women in Austria. Data were collected by problem-focused interviews conducted with ten women suffering from endometriosis, which were later transcribed and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Findings are therefore described using content-related categories. Results show that negative thoughts and feelings like fear, despair, and anger are associated with endometriosis and pain. Moreover, predominantly negative impacts and changes are found in various areas of life, such as the well-being and psyche of those affected, their attitude towards life in general, partnerships, social life, leisure time and work-life balance. In dealing with endometriosis and pain, both Western biomedicine and complementary medicine treatments are used. Support from one’s inner circle of friends and exchange and interaction with others affected by the disease are seen to be invaluable. Attending physicians as well as patients themselves and their private, social, and working environment should encourage open communication about endometriosis and the related pain.

Resumen: La endometriosis y su dolor asociado implican problemas profundos para la salud de las mujeres. El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar la experiencia subjetiva y los efectos del dolor, los métodos para tratarlos, así como las necesidades de las mujeres afectadas en Austria. Para el examen de los temas mencionados anteriormente, se eligió un enfoque de investigación cualitativo. Las entrevistas enfocadas en los problemas se realizaron con diez mujeres que sufrían endometriosis. Tras la transcripción material de los datos, el análisis se realizó usando un análisis cualitativo de contenido. Por lo tanto, los resultados se describen usando categorías relacionadas con el contenido. Los resultados muestran que los pensamientos negativos y los sentimientos como miedo, desesperación, y enfado están conectados con la endometriosis y el dolor. Además, predominantemente se encontraron impactos negativos y cambios en varias áreas de la vida, tales como: bienestar, psique de quienes se veían afectadas, su actitud ante la vida en general, relaciones, vida social, equilibrio entre tiempo de ocio y trabajo. Para enfrentarse a la endometriosis y el dolor, se utilizan tratamientos biomédicos occidentales, así como medicina complementaria. El apoyo del círculo íntimo de los afectados, como son los amigos, así como el intercambio e interacción con otras personas afectadas por la enfermedad parecen ser muy útiles. Ir al médico, el entorno privado, social y laboral de las pacientes, así como ellas mismas, deben estar y ser animadas para una comunicación abierta sobre la endometriosis y el dolor relacionado con la misma.

Resumo Crescimento pós-traumático (CPT) refere-se à mudança positiva em algum aspecto da experiência humana como resultado do enfrentamento de adversidades. Investigou-se a relação entre CPT, estilos de enfrentamento e centralidade de evento. Participaram do estudo 65 mulheres que concluíram os tratamentos recomendados para o câncer de mama. Tratou-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa cujos instrumentos foram respondidos on-line. Identificou-se correlações altas entre CPT e centralidade de evento e moderadas entre CPT e os estilos de enfrentamento: estratégia focada no problema, busca de suporte social e práticas religiosas. A centralidade de evento e as estratégias focadas no problema mostraram-se melhores preditoras de CPT. Os resultados sugerem que quanto maior a adversidade percebida, maior a possibilidade de crescimento, sendo as estratégias de enfrentamento focadas no problema um componente importante para a sua ocorrência. Este estudo apontou a possibilidade de crescimento pessoal relacionado ao enfrentamento do CA de mama e indicou estratégias relevantes para desenvolvê-lo.

Abstract Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to a positive change in some aspect of the human experience as a result of coping with adversity. This study investigated the relationship between PTG, coping styles, and event centrality, using a cross-sectional research design. The sample consisted of 65 women who had completed the recommended treatments for breast cancer (BC) and answered an online survey. High correlations were identified between PTG and event centrality, and moderate correlations between PTG and the coping styles ‘problem-focused strategy’, ‘social support seeking’, and ‘religious practices’. Event centrality and problem-focused coping strategies were the best predictors of PTG. The results suggest that the greater the perceived adversity, the greater the possibility of growth, and that problem-focused coping strategies are important for the occurrence of growth in the context of BC. This study pointed to the possibility of personal growth from coping with BC and indicated effective strategies to develop it.

Resumen El crecimiento postraumático (CPT) se refiere al cambio positivo en algún aspecto de la experiencia humana como resultado del enfrentamiento de adversidades. Se investigó la relación entre CPT, estilos de enfrentamiento y centralidad de eventos. Participaron del estudio 65 mujeres que completaron los tratamientos recomendados para el cáncer de mama. Se trató de una investigación cuantitativa respondida on-line. Se identificaron altas correlaciones entre CPT y centralidad de eventos; y moderadas entre CPT y los estilos de enfrentamiento: estrategia centrada en el problema, búsqueda de apoyo social y prácticas religiosas. La centralidad de eventos y las estrategias centradas en el problema demostraron mejores predictores del CPT. Los resultados sugieren que cuanto mayor es la adversidad percibida, mayor es la posibilidad de crecimiento, siendo las estrategias de afrontamientos centradas en el problema un componente importante para su ocurrencia. Este estudio señaló la posibilidad de crecimiento personal frente a la lucha contra el cáncer de mama.

Resumen Los estudiantes de postgrado están sujetos a diversos estímulos estresores (trabajo, familia y estudios) y emplean una serie de recursos para afrontarlos y lograr las metas trazadas. El propósito de la investigación fue conocer la relación entre el estilo de afrontamiento y el bienestar psicológico de estudiantes de postgrado de una universidad de Lima. La investigación fue cuantitativa, correlacional, transversal y con una muestra de 158 estudiantes de una maestría del área de Humanidades. La información se recolectó con el Cuestionario de Estilos de Afrontamiento (COPE) de 60 ítems y con una Escala de Bienestar Psicológico basada en la propuesta de Ryff. Los resultados indican que el estilo de afrontamiento centrado en el problema y el estilo centrado en las emociones se relacionan positivamente con el bienestar psicológico, (.56) y (.50) respectivamente. Además, se encontró que los estudiantes de más de 41 años emplean una gama más amplia de estrategias de afrontamiento y presentan mayor nivel de bienestar psicológico.

Resumo Os estudantes de pós-graduação estão sujeitos a diversos estímulos causadores de estresse (trabalho, família e estudos) e utilizam uma série de recursos para enfrentrá-los e alcançarem seus objetivos. A finalidade da investigação foi a de conhecer a relação entre o estilo de enfrentamento ao estresse e do bem-estar psicológico de estudantes de pós-graduação de uma universidade em Lima, Peru. A investigação foi quantitativa, correlacional, transversal e com uma amostra de 158 estudantes de mestrado na área de Humanidades. Foram recolhidos dados com o Coping Estimation Inventory COPE de 60 itens e com uma Escala de Bem-Estar Psicológico baseada na proposta de Ryff. Os resultados indicam que o estilo de enfrentamento focado no problema e o estilo focado na emoção estão positivamente correlacionados com o bem-estar psicológico, (.56) e (.50) respectivamente. Além disso, constatou-se que os estudantes com mais de 41 anos de idade empregam uma gama mais ampla de estratégias de enfrentamento ao estresse e apresentam um nível mais alto de bem-estar psicológico.

Abstract Postgraduate students are under various stressors such as work, family and study; and they use diverse resources to address them and achieve their goals. The purpose of the research was to know the relation between the style of coping and the psychological well-being of postgraduate students at a university in Lima, Perú. The research was quantitative, correlational, transversal and with a sample of 158 students of a master's degree in the Humanities area. The information was collected with the Coping Estimation Inventory COPE of 60 items and with a Scale of Psychological Well-being based on Ryff's proposal. The results indicated that Problem-focused coping style and emotion-focused style are positively correlated to psychological well-being, (.56) and (.50) respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that students over 41 years old use broader range of coping strategies and they showed a higher level of psychological well-being.

This work aimed to identify the relationship between Resilience, Coping, Social Skills and Problem-Solving, and compare said constructs between psychology students and students from other areas of human sciences. Eight hundred sixteen (816) university students from public and private institutions in the state of Rio de Janeiro whose age ranged from 17 to 44 years participated in this study. The research instruments were: Social Skills Inventory Scale, Problem-Focused Coping Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Problem-Solving Skills Scale. The results showed differences between the groups of students regarding social skills deficits, and a positive correlation between the Problem-Focused Coping Scale and the Problem-Solving Skills Scale. This data contributes to the initiative of adjusting the educational program for the purpose of developing the social interaction skills involved and required in the training of future psychologists.

Este trabajo buscó identificar la relación entre Resiliencia, Coping, Habilidades Sociales y Resolución de Problemas y comparar los constructos en estudiantes de Psicología con otros estudiantes de otras áreas de las Ciencias Humanas. Participaron 816 estudiantes universitarios de instituciones públicas y privadas del Estado de Río de Janeiro, con edades variando entre 17 y 44 años. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales, la Escala Modos de Afrontamiento de Problemas, la Escala de Resiliencia para Adultos y la Escala de Habilidades para la Resolución de Problemas. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron diferencias entre los grupos de estudiantes en lo que se refiere a los déficit de HS y la correlación positiva entre la Escala de Afrontamiento y la Escala de Habilidades para la Resolución de Problemas. Estos datos contribuyen a la iniciativa de ajuste de la programación de enseñanza orientada al desarrollo de habilidades de interacción social involucradas y requeridas en la formación del futuro psicólogo.

O nascimento de um bebê diagnosticado com anomalia congênita (AC) geralmente produz nos pais estresse e sofrimento, decorrentes da idealização do bebê saudável. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar indicadores emocionais parentais após o diagnóstico de AC e as formas de enfrentamento (coping) relacionadas ao contexto da hospitalização. Participaram da pesquisa 10 mães cujos bebês estavam internados em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) de dois hospitais da Grande Vitória, ES. Para caracterização da amostra, foram aplicados questionários de dados econômicos e sociodemográficos para análise das variáveis, o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp (ISSL), Inventários Beck de Ansiedade (BAI) e Depressão (BDI) e Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (EMEP). Todo o grupo experimentava algum grau de estresse e ansiedade, e a maioria (n=8) também apresentava sintomas de depressão, indicando que o diagnóstico de AC é um estressor em potencial para o sofrimento psicológico materno. Com relação à EMEP, os resultados indicaram maior frequência das estratégias de enfrentamento: Busca de Práticas Religiosas e Focalização no Problema. Evidencia-se a necessidade de intervenções dirigidas às mães durante a hospitalização para redução do impacto emocional negativo do diagnóstico de AC, o que pode comprometer o estabelecimento do apego inicial da díade. Ressalta-se a importância de estudos sobre o enfrentamento para subsidiar esse tipo de intervenção.

The birth of a baby diagnosed as having congenital anomalies (CA) usually produces the parents' stress and suffering resulting from the idealization of a healthy baby. The objective of this research was to analyze parental emotional indicators after the CA diagnosis and ways of coping related to context of hospitalization. The participants were10 mothers whose babies were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of two hospitals of Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo. Sociodemographic and economic data questionnaires were applied to characterize the sample. To analyze the variables, the Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Depression (BDI), and the Brazilian version of the Ways of Coping Checklist were applied. The entire group was experiencing some degree of symptoms of stress and anxiety, and the majority (n = 8) also had symptoms of depression, indicating that the diagnosis of CA is a potential stressor for maternal psychological distress. Regarding the coping checklist, the results indicated that the most frequent ways of coping were: Search of Religious Practices and Problem-Focused Coping. We highlight the need for mothers' interventions during hospitalization to reduce the negative emotional impact of the CA's diagnosis, which can compromise the establishment of the initial attachment of the dyad. We emphasize the importance of studies on the coping to support this type of intervention.

Action-Emotion Style (AES) is an affective-motivational construct that describes the achievement motivation that is characteristic of students in their interaction with stressful situations. Using elements from the Type-A Behavior Pattern (TABP), characteristics of competitiveness and overwork occur in different combinations with emotions of impatience and hostility, leading to a classification containing five categories of action-emotion style (Type B, Impatient-hostile type, Medium type, Competitive-Overworking type and Type A). The objective of the present research is to establish how characteristics of action-emotion style relate to learning approach (deep and surface approaches) and to coping strategies (emotion-focused and problem-focused). The sample was composed of 225 students from the Psychology degree program. Pearson correlation analyses, ANOVAs and MANOVAs were used. Results showed that competitiveness-overwork characteristics have a significant positive association with the deep approach and with problem-focused strategies, while impatience-hostility is thus related to surface approach and emotion-focused strategies. The level of action-emotion style had a significant main effect. The results verified our hypotheses with reference to the relationships between action-emotion style, learning approaches and coping strategies.

El Estilo Acción-Emoción (EAE) es un constructo psicológico de tipo motivacional-afectivo referido a la motivación de logro, basado en el Patrón de Conducta tipo A (pCTA), característico de los alumnos, en interacción con situaciones de estrés. La combinación de la competitividad y la sobrecarga laboral, con las emociones de la impaciencia y hostilidad, conduce a una clasificación en cinco categorías de estilo de acción-emoción (Tipo B, tipo Impaciente-hostil, Tipo Medio, Tipo Competitivo-Sobrecarga Laboral y Tipo A). El objetivo de la presente investigación fue establecer la relación entre las características del EAE con los enfoques de aprendizaje (enfoque profundo y enfoque superficial) y las estrategias de afrontamiento (centradas en la emoción y centradas en el problema). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 225 estudiantes del Programa de Licenciatura en Psicología. Se realizaron análisis de correlaciones bivariados de Pearson y análisis multivariados. Los resultados mostraron una asociación positiva y significativa de las características de la competitividad-sobrecarga con el enfoque profundo y las estrategias centradas en el problema, así como de la impaciencia-hostilidad con el enfoque superficial y las estrategias centradas en la emoción. El nivel de estilo de acción-emoción tuvo un efecto principal significativo. Los resultados obtenidos verifican las hipótesis planteadas referidas a la relación entre el estilo de acción-emoción, los enfoques de aprendizaje y las estrategias de afrontamiento.

The Lord's Prayer has a collective and an individual sense. In a pastoral context it can lead the individual believer to inner healing, transformation, faith and redemption; with the result of a collective sense of merciful, sacrificing, restorative justice that forms a paradigm for restorative justice in a broken society. Ultimately the Lord's Prayer ripples outwards from the supplicant's own needs to the fulfilment of the love commandment towards God and other people. With the use of the Lord's Prayer in the pastoral guidance process, the counselee's attention can shift from a problem-focused attitude to a life of justice, peace and joy. The research question under investigation asks if the Lord's Prayer can really form a paradigm for restorative justice within a situation of brokenness when it forms part of the pastoral guidance process to give structure to the mixture of emotions that the counselee experiences. The pastoral challenge lies in not limiting newly-found healing to the counselling room, but letting it result in a responsible way of life. Two main themes of the Lord's Prayer are discussed, namely, human beings' relationship with God, and their dependence on God for life. The main themes are related to the love commandment, which in itself aims to guide the believer to the realisation of a wider responsibility towards society in respect of merciful, sacrificing, restorative justice that heals brokenness.

The African continent is associated with a variety of problems. Irrespective of having achieved a new democracy more than two decades ago, South Africa still seems to suffer the same fate as the rest of the continent because of the inability to solve its innate challenges. However, at grass roots level South Africans are desperately seeking ways of moving away from this problem-focused paradigm to a more constructive and assertive paradigm where South Africans can truly be reconciled as a 'rainbow nation' despite the different cultures. Scholars who have written about this intercultural challenge are of the opinion that intercultural hermeneutics no longer works with a split between Christ and culture, but rather with the interconnectedness between Christ and culture, without the sacrifice of the culture's uniqueness. One cannot understand religion, faith and spirituality without understanding culture. This article investigates the church's responsibility to provide pastoral care to the people of South Africa within an intercultural paradigm by using different symbols and metaphors. The research question concentrates on the interconnectedness of the Christian faith and the different cultures in South Africa. It examines how a pastoral approach, using symbols and metaphors, could contribute to the avoidance of the mere 'Christianisation' of the culture, resulting in an approach where Christ is the authentic transformer of culture.

El objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar la relación entre salud, optimismo disposicional y estilos de afrontamiento en trabajadores, profesionales y no profesionales que trabajan en contextos altamente estresantes, en la ciudad de Talca, Chile. Se evaluaron 119 trabajadores de diversas instituciones dedicadas a la atención de personas vulnerables socialmente, con los siguientes instrumentos: el General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), el Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), y la Escala de Evaluación de Técnicas de Afrontamiento (COPE). Los resultados indican que un 18% de la muestra presenta una alteración en su funcionamiento emocional normal, siendo la mayoría trabajadoras no profesionales. No se encontró relación entre estado de salud reportada y optimismo disposicional; sin embargo, sí se observaron correlaciones entre estas variables y algunos estilos de afrontamiento. En el caso de la sintomatología de salud reportada, se observaron correlaciones negativas con algunos estilos que conforman el afrontamiento centrado en el problema, y correlaciones positivas con algunos estilos que conforman el afrontamiento de evitación. Por su parte, el optimismo disposicional presenta una correlación positiva con algunos estilos del factor de afrontamiento centrado en el problema, y una correlación negativa con la desconexión conductual. Estos resultados muestran que existen estilos favorecedores de la salud, como la reinterpretación positiva y el crecimiento personal, que podrían ser considerados en planes de intervención de salud y autocuidado para los trabajadores. Es necesario seguir profundizando la investigación en este contexto, incluyendo elementos organizacionales con el fin de comprender mejor las diferencias entre los trabajadores profesionales y no profesionales.

The aim of this research is to identify the relationship between health status, dispositional optimism and coping style in professionals and non professionals working in highly stressful environments in the city of Talca-Chile. 119 professionals and non professionals from different institutions dedicated to the care of socially vulnerable people were assessed with the following questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Life Orientation Test (LOR-R) and the Stress-Management Evaluation Scale (COPE for its Spanish acronym). Results show that 18% of the participants have an alteration in their emotional well-being, a group where the majority was mainly non professional women workers. No relationship was found between self-reported health status and dispositional optimism. However, correlations were found between these variables and coping styles. In the case of reported health symptoms, there were negative correlations with coping styles that involve problem-focused coping, and positive correlations with some styles that involve avoidance coping. Meanwhile, dispositional optimism shows a positive correlation with problem-focused coping and with some styles that make up this factor, and a negative correlation with behavioral disengagement. Results show that there are health-promoting coping styles, such as positive reinterpretation and personal growth, which could be used for developing health plans and self-care interventions for these workers. It is necessary to further deepen the research in this context, including organizational elements in order to better understand the differences between professional and nonprofessional workers.

O objetivo da presente pesquisa é identificar a relação entre saúde, otimismo disposicional e estilos de enfrentamento em trabalhadores profissionais e não profissionais que trabalham em contextos altamente estressantes, na cidade de Talca, Chile. Avaliaram-se 119 trabalhadores de diversas instituições dedicadas ao atendimento de pessoas vulneráveis socialmente, com os seguintes instrumentos: o General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), o Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), e a Escala de Avaliação de Técnicas de Enfrentamento (COPE). Os resultados indicam que 18% da mostra apresenta uma alteração no seu funcionamento emocional normal, sendo a maioria trabalhadoras não profissionais. Não foi encontrada relação entre o estado de saúde informado e otimismo disposicional; porém, foram observadas correlações entre essas variáveis e alguns estilos de enfrentamento. No caso da sintomatologia de saúde informada, observaram-se correlações negativas com alguns estilos que formam o enfrentamento centrado no problema, e correlações positivas com alguns estilos que foram o enfrentamento de evitação. Por sua parte, o otimismo disposicional apresenta una correlação positiva com alguns estilos do fator de enfrentamento centrado no problema, e uma correlação negativa com a desconexão conductual. Estes resultados mostram que existem estilos favorecedores da saúde, como a reinterpretação positiva e o crescimento pessoal, que poderiam ser considerados em planos de intervenção de saúde e autocuidado para os trabalhadores. É necessário continuar aprofundando a pesquisa neste contexto, incluindo elementos organizacionais com o objetivo de compreender melhor as diferenças entre os trabalhadores profissionais e não profissionais.

Building and sustaining a good life are goals shared by all individuals and societies. The good life is happy, healthy, productive and meaningful, and it entails more than the mere absence of disease, disorder, and problems. Traditional approaches in psychology largely focus on identifying problems and reducing them. What is needed is a new kind of science and practice that expands and complements existing problem-focused approaches. The new field of positive psychology has the potential to fill this need. In this article, we provide an overview of positive psychology, its main concepts, current research findings, and practical implications for building a good life.

Construir y mantener una buena vida son objetivos compartidos por todos los individuos y sociedades. La buena vida es feliz, saludable, productiva y con significado, e implica más que la mera ausencia de enfermedades, trastornos y problemas. Los enfoques tradicionales de la psicología se centran principalmente en identificar y reducir los problemas. Esos enfoques son útiles hasta cierto punto, pero muestran limitaciones al abordar la cuestión de cómo construir y mantener una buena vida, lo cual requiere capacidades y condiciones adicionales. Resulta por tanto necesario un nuevo tipo de ciencia y práctica que amplíe y complemente los enfoques centrados en los problemas y el nuevo campo de la psicología positiva tiene el potencial para cubrir esta necesidad. En este artículo, ofrecemos una descripción de la psicología positiva, sus conceptos principales, los resultados de las investigaciones actuales y las implicaciones prácticas para la construcción de una buena vida.

ORIENTATION: Identification of the inner coping strategies used by South African Police Service (SAPS) officers who do operational work is something the SAPS should consider to ensure the officers' management of trauma and efficiency at work. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe inner coping strategies used by officers in the Vhembe district (South Africa) to reconstruct stressful and traumatic experiences at work. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Most studies on coping amongst SAPS officers focus on organisational I stress and not on the impact of the officers' operational work. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD: An exploratory design was used and 20 SAPS officers were selected through purposive sampling. In-depth face-to-face and telephone interviews, as well as diaries were used to collect data, which were analysed using content thematic data analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: The results showed that the main categories of coping strategies that led to management of the impact of operational work amongst the selected sample were centred around problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies, with some use of reappraisal and minimal use of avoidance. Considering the context of the officers' work, the list of dimensions of inner coping strategies amongst SAPS officers should be extended. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Intervention programmes designed for the SAPS, including critical incident stress debriefing, should take the operational officers' inner strategies into account to improve the management of the impact of their work. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the inner coping strategies amongst SAPS officers, with special reference to operational work in a specific setting.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of coping in the relationship between spiritual well-being and depression among ministers. The research group consisted of 53 Dutch Reformed ministers, all serving in the Northern Cape. Coping was measured by means of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Questionnaire (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub 1989), spiritual well-being by means of the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire (Gomez & Fisher 2003:1977), and depression by means of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck, Steer & Brown 1996:1-2). The results of this study indicated that problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping showed no direct relationship with depression. Problem-focused coping also plays no significant role in the relationship between spiritual well-being and depression. Emotion-focused coping, however, plays a role in the relationship between environment-related spiritual well-being and depression. Significant negative relationships between spiritual well-being and depression were found. A significant positive relationship was found between dysfunctional coping and depression. Dysfunctional coping was identified as a mediator in the relationship between personal spiritual well-being and depression. The results of this study are supported by the literature.