The Religious Dimensions of Coping

Summary In this article, the role of religion in the coping process is examined. The authors conceptualize the coping process as a dynamic, interaction between several different elements of coping: situations, appraisals, activities, functions, psychosocial resources and constraints, and outcomes. The research on the relationship between religion and each of these elements is reviewed in order to address two general questions: “when is religion involved in coping„ and “how is religion involved in coping?„ Based on this review, the authors discuss the value of religion for prevention and promotion work in a number of areas including: preventing negative events, cognitive stress inoculation, competency building, and resource provision. Finally, some special challenges posed by prevention work in a religious context are briefly examined.