ASSIGNMENT: In 4-6 pages of double spaced BACKGROUND: This assignment is based on the narrative life history “Una Muchacha Decente”. This narrative has been posted on Blackboard. The assignment is focused on learning concepts in the psychology of stress and coping. Preparation for this assignment should include reading chapters 6 and 7 in the course text. These chapters explain “moderators of stress” and coping strategies. Other helpful concepts will be presented in class after the Spring break. Jessie’s childhood and adolescence were lived in the presence of major environmental and personal stressors. She was one of the rare exceptions in her community who survived these stressors with health and dreams intact. The purpose of this assignment is to learn concepts that help explain her survival.

I have attached the pdf file for this assignment and the directions. BACKGROUND: This assignment is based on the narrative life history “Una Muchacha Decente”. This narrative has been posted on Blackboard. The assignment is focused on learning concepts in the psychology of stress and coping. Preparation for this assignment should include reading chapters 6 and 7 in the course text. These chapters explain “moderators of stress” and coping strategies. Other helpful concepts will be presented in class after the Spring break. This assignment contributes a maximum of 25 points to the point total for the course. Jessie’s childhood and adolescence were lived in the presence of major environmental and personal stressors. She was one of the rare exceptions in her community who survived these stressors with health and dreams intact. The purpose of this assignment is to learn concepts that help explain her survival. ASSIGNMENT: In 4-6 pages of double spaced, typewritten text respond to the following issues: 1) (5 points) A “protective factor” is any routine, condition, or relationship which is able to protect or cushion a person from high risk situations where he/she is likely to be injured and/or seriously stressed. In Jessie’s situation give examples of protective factors that shielded her from the high-risk dangers in her environment. 2) (5 points) Jessie grew up with dreams and ambitions of positive possibilities for her life. What do you think enabled her to hang on to those dreams, and not lose them as so many of her peers did? 3) (5 points) Another issue in dealing with stress is personality characteristics. After reviewing Jessie’s narrative consider what kind of person is she? What do you see as personality strengths that contributed to her long-term survival? 4) (5 points) In surviving stress with health intact social support can also play an important role. Give examples of how Jessie made use of social support in her efforts to cope with stress. 5) (5 points) Give examples of coping strategies used by Jessie in dealing with stressful situations. Do you see examples of emotion-focused coping or problem-focused coping?