John P. J. Dussich, Ph. D.
Tokiwa International
Victimology Institute
“Victimology & Victim Assistance”
LPSK
Bogor, Indonesia
March 26, 2013
Coping is what persons do, physically, socially, and
cognitively to meet the demands of living. The
objective of coping is to reduce the stress brought
about by the presence of a problem.
Coping styles vary according to individuals, families,
and cultures. Some persons cope appropriately &
others cope inappropriately. Appropriate coping
means being positive, engaging in constructive
problem solving, task-focused behavior, working
out, accepting help, etc.; while inappropriate
coping is blaming oneself or others, denying the
problem exists, trying to cope alone, use of drugs
or alcohol, being aggressive, etc.
Coping is highly individualistic & is mostly learned.
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Those who cope well have a better chance to
avoid victimization.
Having been victimized suggests a pattern of
vulnerability exists.
Thus, good victim counseling must include
providing potential victims with the education
to understand their vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities can be lowered by
understanding the coping process.
ANTECEDENTS
PERSONAL
RESOURCES
COPING MILIEU
PROBLEM
APRAISAL
FEEDBACK
RESULTS
Success
COPING
PROCESS
Failure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Repertoire
Social assets
Psychic assets
Physical assets
Time
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problem is here defined as
a multi-dimensional
condition that blocks status
and/or the pursuit of goals
which creates physical, social
and psychical stresses.
-The psycho/social coping process has
four distinct phases:
1. Prevention (Starts with the awareness that
a problem is possible.)
2. Preparation (Starts with the awareness that
a problem is imminent.)
3. Action (Starts when
a problem is present.)
4. Reappraisal (Starts after
a problem is over.)
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AWARENESS OF A PROBLEM POSSIBILITY
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REASONABLE ANTICIPATION versus DENYING THE LIKLIHOOD
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AWARENESS AND APRAISAL OF A
PROBLEM COMING
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PREPARATION versus ABSENCE OF PREPARATION
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PROBLEM-EVENT OCCURING
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COPING versus FAILURE TO COPE
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PROBLEM-EVENT IS OVER
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SECONDARY COPING versus EVENT IS OVER
Victimization is an event whereby a person is unable to
cope with an attack due to inadequate resources.
-Recovery is the end-state when a victim resumes a
functional life-style with significantly fewer
symptoms and acquires a positive identity of self.
-Inadequate resources result in vulnerability,
victimization, and a poor ability to recover.
-Adequate resources result in resiliency, safety, and an
enhanced ability to recover.
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Conditions that increase vulnerability:
high-risk milieu (crime/accident scenes)
distorted problem-appraisals (fatigue/alcohol/drugs)
psychic disabilities (mental retardation or illness)
social disabilities (abandonment/shunning/isolation)
physical disabilities (injury/illness/weakness)
limited time (tardiness/low reaction time/unavailability
underdeveloped coping (inexperience)
faulty coping (maladaptive)
Opposite conditions decrease vulnerability.
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Conditions that decrease vulnerability:
use of resourcefulness (skills/strength/intelligence)
self-delivered reassurances (self encouragement)
positive thinking (learned optimism logical
analysis)
rational action (reality oriented)
regulate negative emotions (self control)
positive appraisal (honest assessment)
problem solving
(prioritization/optimism/persistence)
diminished vulnerability (awareness/
empowerment)
Opposite conditions increase vulnerability.
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Conditions that decrease vulnerability:
healing milieu (hospital/clinic/home/church)
positive intervention (use tried and tested
methods)
psychic strengths (mastery/IQ/education)
social strengths (abundance of quality
relationships)
physical strengths (good
health/endurance/youth)
time abundance (scheduling/good reactions)
developed coping (mastery/education/practice)
appropriate coping (adaptive/realistic/resourced)
approach coping (having the will to
try/optimism)
Opposite conditions increase vulnerability.
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Those with more resources specific to their life-style
have a higher chance to avoid victimization, if
victimized, will cope better, recover sooner and
suffer less.
Those with few resources specific to their life-style
have a higher likelihood of becoming victims; if they
become victims, they have a poorer chance of
surviving; and, if they survive, they will not recover
well and suffer more.
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Can be used to understand all victims.
Can also be used to assist victims recover.
Emphasizes a holistic multi-resource approach.
Focuses on environmental adaptation to coping.
Encourages the teaching of realistic preparation.
Teaches that coping strategies must be individual.
Points to the need for teaching basic coping skills
early in life.
Underscores the important of psycho-social
education as part of good victim counseling.
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