Final answer:
The problem with distinguishing between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping lies in the perception of control. Problem-focused coping is more likely when we perceive stressors as controllable, while emotion-focused coping is more likely in situations where we feel powerless to change the stressor.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Carver (2007), the problem with distinguishing between the two ways of coping is that stressors can elicit both problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping strategies. However, the distinction lies in the perception of control. Problem-focused coping is more likely to occur when encountering stressors we perceive as controllable, while emotion-focused coping is more likely to predominate when faced with stressors that we believe we are powerless to change. For example, if someone experiences the loss of a loved one, they may engage in emotion-focused coping to minimize the pain of grieving since they cannot change the situation.