A Perspective on Coping Behavior

WHY doesn't everyone break down? We are all necessarily exposed to a variety of stressful experiences throughout the life Cycle. The literature of psychiatry and closely related fields has provided abundant documentation of the ways in which many common experiences can be traumatic. A variety of situations has been emphasized in recent years as threatening, difficult experiences for many individuals Some of these are inherent components of the life cycle; others reflect major features of urbanized, technologically complex societies. The following are examples of common stressful experiences that have been emphasized in recent research and clinical discussions: (1) separation from parents in childhood; (2) displacement by siblings; (3) childhood experiences of rejection; (4) illness and injuries of childhood; (5) illness and death of parents; (6) severe illnesses and injuries of the adult years; (7) the initial transition from home to school;