Final answer:
Coping is managing the psychological and behavioral demands of stress, distinguished as problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies. These approaches depend on appraisal of the stressor and perceived coping options.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coping is the process of psychological and behavioral efforts used to manage demands that are appraised as stressful or overwhelming. There are two main types of coping strategies: problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping.
Problem-focused coping involves tackling the problem itself through steps like defining the problem, considering solutions, and taking action. Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, aims to relieve or manage the emotional distress associated with the situation. Examples include distraction, seeking support, and positive reinterpretation.
Stress and how we handle it is influenced by our perceptions and appraisals of potential threats (primary appraisal) and our judgment of the available coping options (secondary appraisal). How we perceive our ability to influence a situation affects whether a threat seems overwhelming or manageable. Building resilience can also be important for adapting to tough situations.