BANI World: Coping Intelligence and Stress Management

Abstract

Relevance. Effective stress management in today’s BANI world (fragile, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible) requires coping intelligence (CI), enabling flexible adaptation to rapid changes. CI is the person’s ability to resolve stress productively, maintain health, and develop across life domains. The objective of this study is to analyze CI manifestations among employees performing routine tasks. Methods. CI was assessed at psychological and socio-cultural levels. Psychological assessment included mental representation analysis of stress and the SACS questionnaire. Socio-cultural evaluation utilized the IDICS and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The sample comprised is 331 employees (192 m./139 f.; mean age 34.9 ± 13.14) from two professional groups: IT call center operators and plant workers. Data were collected via these mixed methods and analyzed statistically. Results. The majority of employees experience stress, with 25% at high risk for stress-related illnesses. Psychological level of CI is that while respondents identify causes of stress and symptoms, they rarely acknowledge rest, health, or the positive developmental role of stress. Constructive coping strategies such as assertive actions and social support are common. Socio-cultural level of CI highlighted differences between groups: call center operators exhibit more complex stress representations and higher job stress vulnerability, whereas plant workers report lower professional self-esteem and high task-related stress, overlooking stress’s developmental role. Conclusion. Representations of stress are the psychological correlates of individual differences of stress management in the BANI world. This study proposes three levels of individual stress management, such as simplified, differentiated, and systematic.