Final answer:
Emotion-focused coping is private and internal, used when a situation is beyond control. It involves efforts to reduce negative emotions rather than directly addressing the problem. This contrasts with problem-focused coping, which is used for controllable stressors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emotion-focused coping is internal, private, and used when nothing can be done about a situation. This type of coping consists of efforts to change or reduce the negative emotions associated with stress. It may include avoiding, minimizing, or distancing oneself from the problem, seeking something positive in a negative event, or reappraising the situation without changing its objective level of threat.
When faced with stressors perceived as uncontrollable, emotion-focused coping is often the most effective strategy. For example, in dealing with the death of a loved one where you are powerless to change the situation, focusing on managing the emotions and the grieving process is essential. In contrast, problem-focused coping is more likely when dealing with controllable stressors, involving actions to directly address the problem. If a person, however, uses a coping mechanism like this rigidly and compulsively, this can lead to more problematic situations where one may become alienated from others.