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Table 1 Description of core coping families (adapted from Skinner & Zimmer-Gembeck [29])

From: Coping with migration-related stressors - a qualitative study of Nepali male labour migrants

Purpose

Coping families

Description

Coordinate action

Problem-solving

active attempts to achieve desired outcomes through: strategizing; planning; analysing; preventing; repairing

Information-seeking

active attempts to gather relevant information (causes, meaning, consequences) of the stressor(s) through: seeking advice or help; observing or consulting others or relevant materials

Helplessness

give up control of a situation without attempts to improve situation through being passive; resigning

Escape

remove oneself from stressor through: denial; physically leaving; cognitively avoiding

Coordinate resources

Self-comforting

engage in active self-care through: relaxing; controlling one’s own emotions constructively; encouraging oneself

Support-seeking

seek support from other individuals or religion through: reaching out to others; seeking comfort; imagining the response of others; praying

Delegation

heavy reliance on others’ support and focuses negatively on the stressor through: complaining; whining; maladaptive help-seeking

Social isolation

withdraw from others physically or emotionally to prevent others knowing about stressor or their effects, often due to sadness or shame

Coordinate options

Accommodation

adjust preference to available options through: positive cognitive restructuring; distraction

Negotiation

active attempts to compromise, focussing on defending one’s goals through: bargaining; reducing demands; priority setting; deal-making

Submission

surrender to stressor through: rumination; negative thinking; catastrophizing; self-blame

Opposition

attack source of stressor combined with anger or hostility through: using aggression; blaming others; taking revenge; being defiant