The concept of 'coping' is fundamental in stress research, as an overall
designation for everything people do to deal with stressful situations.
In this book Karen Pallesgaard Munk further develops the theory of
coping, using the American psychologist Richard S. Lazarus' analysis of
emotions to research how individuals and groups experience stress. This
new method, which Karen Pallesgaard Munk calls Qualitative Micro
Analysis, begins with interviews that focus on both practical and
emotional aspects of the life situation of the informant. Against this
background, a systematic mapping of the informant's coping strategies
and related narratives is made as a basis for change. In this book,
instructions are given for how to conduct a coping interview, analyse
the results and then communicate the data. The guidelines are applicable
to both large research projects and smaller investigations on stress and
well-being, for example by students of health.