Final answer:
Reactive coping takes place after a stressor is encountered. It includes problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies, with the choice depending on the perceived controllability of the stressor and available coping resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reactive coping occurs after a stressor has been encountered. Stress and coping involve a multifaceted interaction between an individual and their environment.
Physiologically, if exposure to a stressor is prolonged, one enters the stage of resistance, where the body has adapted to the stressor and remains alert to respond to it, albeit with less intensity compared to the initial alarm reaction.
Coping refers to the mental and behavioral efforts used to manage stress, with two main styles identified by Lazarus and Folkman (1984): problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping.
Problem-focused coping involves strategies to manage or alter the problem causing the stress, typically adopted when facing stressors perceived as controllable.
On the other hand, emotion-focused coping consists of efforts to change or reduce the negative emotions associated with stress, often used when facing stressors perceived as uncontrollable. The effectiveness of coping strategies is influenced by one's perception of control over the stressor and the availability of coping resources.