Final answer:
People tend to use emotion-focused coping strategies when they believe they cannot change a stressful situation, as this method helps manage the negative emotions associated with the stressor. This contrasts with problem-focused coping, which is used when a person perceives they have control over a situation and can actively address the problem.
Step-by-step explanation:
People tend to use emotion-focused coping strategies rather than problem-focused coping strategies when they believe they cannot change a stressful situation. This coping method consists of efforts to manage or reduce the negative emotions related to stress, such as seeking social support, employing distraction techniques, or trying to find a positive angle on an adverse event. Meanwhile, problem-focused coping involves actively trying to solve the problem causing stress, such as by identifying the issue and considering possible solutions.
For example, if someone is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, a situation they cannot change, they might engage in emotion-focused coping. This could include expressing emotions through talking or crying, engaging in activities that provide a distraction, or seeking comfort from friends and family. However, when faced with a controllable situation, like failing a class, a person might use problem-focused coping by reaching out to the professor for guidance, dedicating extra time for study, or seeking tutoring help.
The effectiveness of coping strategies generally relates to the appraisal of the stressor. If a person perceives that they have control over the situation and believes in their ability to manage it, they are more likely to employ problem-focused coping. Conversely, if a person appraises the stressor as something they cannot control or change, they will lean towards emotion-focused coping.