Coping Strategies for Overcoming Stress in Atypical Situations

Abstract

The article analyzes the specifics of coping strategies for overcoming stress used by people who perceive the atypical situations of forced isolation, including the COVID-19 pandemic, in a different way. An empirical study conducted with the use of corresponding psychodiagnostic techniques (Extended Life orientation test; SACS) found that people who are optimistic about restrictions and atypical life situations are prone to use assertive actions and enter into social contacts. Whereas people who are pessimistic about the future have a less pronounced tendency to seek social support. The study confirmed that proactive coping in atypical life situations (including forced isolation) is associated with the relevant individual psychological characteristics, which are important for motivating social activities. Such personality expressions can contribute to the implementation of proactive coping and they are key factors in the pre-actional phase of goal-setting because proactive people focus not on the obstacles, but on solving problems. It is also suggested that proactive instructions can be a resource that enhances an individual’s desire for a higher standard of living.