The central role that coping plays in moderating negative effects of stress has emerged over the past two decades, with literally thousands of studies scattered across several disciplines. This volume brings together for the first time the cross-disciplinary findings on stress and coping from the fields of psychology, human physiology, sociology, and anthropology. Taking an approach that is both transactional and developmental, the author traces the personality, situational, social, and cultural influences on individual coping, and then shows how coping strategies can change not only the individual and the social context, but the broader culture as well. Steeped in scholarship, this book is a valuable reference for anyone in the fields of clinical, health, and developmental psychology, as well as those in adult development and gerontology, sociology, and anthropology. Providing important insights in an accessible manner, it also serves as a text for advanced courses in health psychology and behavioral medicine.