Rodina N. Psychology of coping behavior: system modeling.

The thesis is devoted to an actual problem of system modeling of coping behavior in life crisis situations. Theoretical analysis of main methodological approaches to coping research is carried out. Psychodynamic paradigm is applied as complex approach that takes into account both conscious and unconscious psychological mechanisms. System analysis is chosen as an efficient methodology for revelation of most universal principles of coping with life crises. The system model of coping behavior formation is developed. In this model an external environment and personality that copes are viewed as whole single system that consists of six elements or subsystems - stressor (life crisis), environmental factors that influenced in ontogenesis, actual demands of external environment, unconsciousness, consciousness and coping strategies. The empirical verification of the model is based on the joint use of qualitative and quantitative system methodology. The typology of life crises based on A.H. Maslow theory of needs is given. Life crises are researched by example of two polar situations: life threat and self-actualization threat. A hierarchical three-level model is built that included two high-order situational nonspecific categories: effortful coping and avoidance coping. Path diagrams obtained by structure equation modeling demonstrate the increasing role of unconscious tendencies in coping behavior formation in life threat situations. The classification models for different crisis events splitting adaptive from maladaptive copers are presented.