This course is based upon material published in the International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences and is available as an open access article.

Coping skills are strategies that we use – cognitively, affectively and behaviorally – in order to adaptively manage the problems that affect us. Adequate use of these coping strategies results in more effective adjustments, better levels of perceived well-being, and consequently, a greater likelihood of preserving and maintaining mental balance. Of these strategies, those that involve active coping with the problem (“approach”) are more adaptive, in contrast to those that focus on avoiding the problem. Religiosity, for its part, seems to result in better health parameters, from both somatic and strictly psychological perspectives. Furthermore, it can accompany the use of coping skills, becoming another strategy type in itself. Our study seeks to analyze the relationship between coping skills and mental and psychosomatic symptomatology, as well as examining the relationship between these factors and a person’s level of religiosity. After applying an ad hoc questionnaire (sociodemographic data), the SCL-90-R and the CRI-A, results show that subjects with greater symptomatology tend toward use of avoidance strategies. In addition, religious subjects exhibit adequate levels of health, and a more adaptive coping style, which may mitigate the negative effect of age on well-being. Further studies are needed to explore this analysis in greater depth, using a larger sample and a more detailed definition of the components that make up personal religiosity.

This course on coping strategies for psychopathological symptoms is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work.  This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of coping strategies. The course material includes a brief literature review.  It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.  

The course is based on a journal article which includes research.  It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not.  A major benefit of reading research based articles for continuing education is they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. 

Authors:  Valiente-Barroso

Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding coping strategies. Specifically, a professional will:

• Describe the effects of religiosity on mental health.

• Identify the relationship between coping skills and mental and psychosomatic symptomology.

• Recognize the relationship between coping skills and mental and psychosomatic symptomology with religiosity.

 Citation:  Valiente-Barroso, C., (2013). Psychopathological Symptoms, Coping Strategies and Religiosity. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. doi: 10.5923/j.ijpbs.20130306.09