Final answer:
The action-oriented approach to stress management involves taking direct steps to address and manage stressors, aligning with problem-focused rather than emotion-focused coping strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action-oriented approach to stress management is characterized by B) Taking deliberate steps to directly address and manage stressors. This approach falls under what Lazarus and Folkman (1984) described as problem-focused coping, where one manages or alters the problem causing stress. For example, a student failing a class would take direct action by speaking with their professor, dedicating more time to study, and possibly seeking tutoring.
An opposite coping style is emotion-focused coping, where the efforts are directed towards managing the emotional response to the stressor rather than the stressor itself. These may include activities that distract from the problem or reinterpreting the event to reduce its emotional impact.
Effective stress management often involves a combination of different techniques, including exercise and establishing social support networks, to mitigate the negative effects of stress on physical and mental health.