Final answer:
The action that supports the nurse's assumption of defensive and ineffective coping is the child not allowing others to touch their belongings, indicating resistant attachment and issues with forming secure emotional bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a child demonstrates defensive and ineffective coping, it often manifests through various behaviors that may be signs of underlying psychological issues or stress. In the context of the question, the action that supports the nurse's assumption most directly is the child not allowing others to touch their belongings. This behavior can be a sign of resistant attachment, characterized by clingy behavior and a rejection of the attachment figure's attempts to interact, which aligns with the theoretical framework described by Ainsworth and Bell (1970). This kind of behavior can arise from a caregiver's inconsistent response to the child's needs, leading to difficulties in trusting and forming healthy emotional bonds.
Other types of coping, as suggested by Horney, include moving toward, which involves dependency and an intense need for love and acceptance; moving against, which is characterized by aggression and assertiveness; and moving away from people, centered on detachment and isolation. These coping styles are shaped by early experiences and can signal how children manage anxiety stemming from unmet needs.