The Extended Theoretical Model of Communal Coping: Understanding the Properties and Functionality of Communal Coping

Abstract

Most of the research on communal coping (CC) has assumed and found that it can enhance health, as well as strengthen entire communities, under stressful circumstances. Nevertheless, recent research has questioned the seemingly inherent benefits of CC. This article rectifies these discrepancies in the literature in a new, extended theoretical model of CC that crosses interpersonal, family, health, organizational, intercultural, and small group communication, as well as psychology and public health. In so doing, we (a) provide a deeper understanding of the functionality of CC for resilience and thriving across subfields within Communication and other disciplines, (b) clarify the concept of CC and describe how it is constructed and revealed through communication, (c) address problematic ways researchers measure CC, and (d) demonstrate the processual nature of it. Future directions are suggested.

“Who’s gonna love a junkie? But he does”: Exploring couples’ identity negotiations and dyadic coping in the context of opioid use disorder

“…Although partners negotiate personal and relational identities that facilitate recovery from illness, the unique dynamics of couples managing OUD could challenge these identity negotiations. Indeed, recent theorizing on communal coping has begun to address the less favorable outcomes associated with appraising a stressor as a couple (Afifi et al, in press).…”

COVID-19 Challenges for Pakistan

“…The themes provide a communicative construction of resilience in terms of intrapersonal and interpersonal communication dynamics. In this regards, the chapter employs the concepts of construction of identity anchoring [Buzzanell (2010) and Patterson (2002)], family resilience [Patterson (2002); Theiss (2018); and Walsh (2003)], communal coping [Afifi, et al (2020);Lyons, et al (1998)], and adjustment with 'new' normalcy [Buzzanell (2010)]. These theoretical underpinnings will enable us to present a vivid picture of the research inquiry under consideration.…”

“…The communal coping requires a shared appraisal. The idea of communal coping is that people should not feel that they are alone in experiencing the stressor and build a shared resolve [Afifi, et al (2020)]. The global nature of the COVID-19 pandemic is a testimony that the implications of the pandemic are not confined to one community, place, or country.…”

“…The concept of collaborative problem-solving against an individual or collective stressor is the underlying construct of communal coping (CC) [Lyons, et al (1998)]. The individuals address a shared problem when they cope with communally [Afifi, et al (2020)].…”

“…Moreover, in the CC, resources are shared rather than given to one person [Afifi, et al (2020)]. The stressor is taken as 'our' issue and cooperative action is taken to address it.…”