Megküzdési

Megküzdési refers to the processes, strategies, and resources that individuals use to cope with stress, adversity, or demanding situations. In Hungarian usage, megküzdési functions as an attributive form describing coping-related phenomena, as in megküzdési stratégiák (coping strategies) or megküzdési mechanizmusok (coping mechanisms). The term derives from the verb megküzd, meaning to contend with or overcome, with the suffix -dés/-ési forming nouns or adjectives that indicate a process or quality.

In psychology and related fields, megküzdés is understood as a broad set of cognitive and behavioral efforts aimed at managing internal or external demands. Coping processes are commonly categorized as problem-focused, which aim to alter the source of stress, and emotion-focused, which address emotional responses. They can be adaptive or maladaptive depending on the context and outcomes, and are influenced by factors such as personality, social support, and culture. Megküzdési strategies are often studied alongside resilience, stress appraisal, and overall well-being.

Common examples include planning and active problem solving; seeking instrumental or emotional support; positive reframing or acceptance; and, less adaptively, avoidance or denial. In research and practice, coping patterns are assessed with standardized instruments, including Hungarian versions of coping inventories, to understand how individuals respond to stress and how coping relates to mental health outcomes.

See also: resilience, stress management, coping strategies, Lazarus and Folkman.