Effectiveness of situation redefinition and affective isolation in coping with stress.

Abstract

Subjects in three threat conditions were told that they would receive a series of painful electric shocks, while the subjects in a no-threat condition were not told about shocks. In one threat condition (threat redefinition), the subjects were told to reduce stress by thinking of the shocks as interesting new physiological sensations. In another threat condition (threat isolation), the subjects were told to reduce stress by remaining detached and uninvolved. Data from self-report of anxiety, pulse rate, and skin resistance indicated that the threat of shock increased stress and that subjects using redefinition and isolation showed smaller increases in stress than subjects who were not told to use those coping strategies.