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Phuong Luu
Professor Knott-Silvia
Health Education
9 December 2015
Case Study Analysis
College students commonly experience stress and anxiety at one point or another, these
negative emotions are what we all need to deal with, but it depends on how were able to handle
it while in difficult periods and whether it could have been prevented. Approximately 40 million
American adults suffer from anxiety and 75% of them experience their first episode by age 22
(Anxiety Disorder Association of America, 2010). Katya is a college student suffering from
anxiety because she believes her efforts of studying wouldnt make a difference on her
performance. However, she needs do well on her Chemistry exam or shell lose her scholarship.
The fact that shell be losing her scholarship if she does poorly is the driving force behind this
anxiety she has.. Knowing how to cope with this stress and anxiety is the key to endure those
negative emotions. After researching, Ive found that there are two ways to cope with stress,
maladaptive coping or adaptive coping.
CHANGXIU SHIXIAOJUN, Z. (2014). THE INFLUENCE OF COLLEGE STUDENTS'
COPING STYLES ON PERCEIVED SELF-EFFICACY IN MANAGING INFERIORITY.
Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal, 42(6), 949-958.

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In this journal, the author states that The key to enhancing self-efficacy is increasing coping
skills. Coping style is one dimension of a persons response to stress. (GodoyIzquierdo, Sola, &
Godoy Garcia, 2011).
For example, adaptive coping is the good strategy to build because it confront problems
directly and recognizing the problem to make a change whereas maladaptive coping decreases
the stress temporarily while the stressor still maintains its strength or could even become
stronger. Using drugs, drinking alcohol, in denial, mental avoidance, aggressive behavior, or
getting into workaholism are all maladaptive behaviors. Katyas coping skill of this situation was
maladaptive coping. Although she faced her problems and took action of it, she was trying to fix
it by revolving her whole world around studying and thinking about this exam she needs to do
well on. When there is a high level of self-blame, individuals doubt and deny their overall
abilities. (Shixiaojun, Changxiu. 955) Moreover, Katya also experiences self doubt with the
thought that her studying wouldnt improve her overall performance. What Katya needs is a
positive outlook and a break from studying. Although she needs to study, overloading herself will
only negatively hurt her in the longer extent of time. In my personal experience, I tend to do
better on exams when I am relaxed and have enough sleep. Additionally, my memory and head is
clear when I am fully rested. Cramming all the things learned in a span of two days would often
lead to failure. Relaxation, Humor, Exercise, Social Support, Sleeping, Positive Affirmations,
Thought Changing, and Deep Breathing are all adaptive coping strategies that would eliminate or
reduce the amount of stress. Another advice I would give to college students and Katya is to
never take more classes than you can handle and learn the material slowly rather than cramming

everything in within a few days. Our brains work by memory and the best way to learn is by
metacognition - being aware and understanding our own thought process.