[Coping--status of knowledge in the 90's].

After a brief historical introduction the literature that has appeared on coping since the middle eighties is reviewed. Theoretically Lazarus' concept of transactional coping has been developed with focus on emotions. Antonovsky's salutogenesis is considered to be innovative. Methodology is discussed in view of instruments, observers time and perspective and need for qualitative evaluation. Clinically it must be concluded from the many cross-sectional comparisons that diseases with comparable demands call for similar coping. Only in long-term studies can stage-dependent differences of efficacy be detected. Active, tackling coping based on social and emotional resources and problem-analysis is significantly superior to passive coping with social withdrawal, ruminating, resignation and self-accusation. More recently interest in coping is extended to families and caretakers of patients. It is concluded that more corresponding with stress-research is needed, methodology should be adjusted and in view of important intervention strategies evaluation of efficacy is necessary.