Final answer:
Active listening is the communication strategy most likely to alleviate stress, promoting engagement and problem-solving in conversations. It is part of a broader set of stress reduction techniques and coping strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication strategies most likely to alleviate stress include active listening rather than ignoring concerns, withholding information, or interrupting frequently. Active listening is part of effective communication and entails staying calm, genuinely listening to the other person's perspective, asking open-ended questions, and restating what you heard to avoid misunderstandings and to show that you're engaged in the conversation. This approach not only helps in managing current stress but also in preventing potential future conflicts by maintaining positive relationships and creating a supportive environment for problem-solving.
Exercise, meditation, relaxation techniques, social support, and coping strategies are also significant in reducing stress. Problem-focused coping, for instance, involves dealing with the source of stress in a practical manner, whereas emotion-focused coping deals with the emotions associated with stress. Both strategies have their place depending on whether the stressor is perceived as controllable or uncontrollable.