Recent research in stress, coping and women's health.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight recent publications in the area of stress and coping, with specific reference to women's physical health status.


RESULTS
The transactional model of stress and coping continues to be the mainstay of research in this area. Several longitudinal studies have demonstrated that stress appraisal and resultant coping responses affect health outcome and health-related quality of life in women. In addition to problem-focused coping, women often use distraction methods, seeking social support and faith or religious coping. Psychological interventions in chronic medical conditions need to move beyond education and incorporate more cognitive behavioral components, at the same time addressing women's specific needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Coping behaviors in response to the negative threat appraisal of a chronic or severe medical illness serve to reduce psychological distress. However, it is still not clear how they impact at the physiological level. In addition, coping responses, which enhance positive effects and promote health-related quality of life, merit greater attention from researchers. There is a need for more gender comparative research to improve health outcomes in men and women.
Rao
Kiran
K
Department of Mental Health and Social Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Karnataka, India. kiranrao.nimhans@gmail.com
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D008016:Life Change Events; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016387:Women's Health