Which of the following is a problem-focused coping strategy?

The correct answer is 'Developing a plan to manage time more effectively.'

Key Points

• Problem-focused coping strategy:
  • Problem-focused coping involves addressing the problem causing stress directly, aiming to change or eliminate the source of stress.
  • Developing a plan to manage time more effectively is a problem-focused strategy because it involves taking actionable steps to solve the issue of time management, thereby reducing stress.

Additional Information

• Seeking emotional support from friends:
  • This is an emotion-focused coping strategy, where individuals seek comfort and understanding to manage their emotional response to stress rather than addressing the problem directly.
• Practicing meditation to calm the mind:
  • This is also an emotion-focused coping strategy. Meditation helps manage emotional responses and reduces stress, but it does not address the root cause of the problem.
• Reinterpreting a negative event in a more positive light:
  • This strategy is known as cognitive restructuring, a part of emotion-focused coping. It involves changing one's perception of the event to reduce emotional stress rather than directly addressing the problem itself.