Question

A staring contest

KIMMY: You use alcohol to make the bad stuff go away, but you don't need alcohol to do that. For 15 years, I did it just by keeping my brain too busy to think. Among the techniques I used: staring contest!
a) Kimmy uses alcohol to cope with stress.
b) Kimmy kept her brain busy to avoid thinking about the bad stuff.
c) Staring contests are ineffective for managing emotions.
d) Alcohol is the only solution to dealing with problems.

Answer 1

Kimmy used emotion-focused coping by keeping busy with activities like staring contests to manage stress, whereas Kaila's excessive drinking shows an unhealthy coping method. Good study habits and exercise are other effective strategies for stress management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement, 'Kimmy kept her brain busy to avoid thinking about the bad stuff,' accurately reflects a coping mechanism known as emotion-focused coping. This coping strategy involves efforts to change or reduce negative emotions associated with stress. By engaging in activities like staring contests, Kimmy is diverting her attention away from stressors. On the other hand, Kaila, who refuses to admit her alcohol problem and continues drinking excessively, demonstrates an unhealthy approach to managing stress. It's clear that adopting effective coping strategies is crucial in managing stress and improving mental health. Good study habits and stress reduction techniques, such as exercise, can also contribute to effective stress management by promoting metacognition and providing the mental resources necessary for rational, attention-filled thought.