Question

Discuss emotion-centered coping and problem-centered coping, particularly the techniques you would use for each.

Answer 1

Emotion-centered coping: These are strategies that help in handling stress which is related to emotions. It involves regulation of emotional distress that is associated with stressful events. It helps in reduction of negative emotional responses such as anxiety, depression, fear , frustration etc.

• Advantage : This type of stress management helps to cope up with stressors that are not in the control of a person. Also it helps a individual to approach the problem.
• Disadavantage: Stress management here does not focus on the root of the problem and does not provide long term solution.
• Techniques used
  • empathetic listening and interaction
  • reframing individual experiences.
  • relaxation , exercise , companionship
  • psychological statergies

Problems-centered coping : Here stress management revolves around the idea to remove the cause of the problem or to take appropriate actions that will help in alleviating or eliminating  the stressful situation. It eliminates the stressor agent and hence releases stress.

• Advantage: It aims at resolving problems that within the control of the person.It helps to take care of stressful situation on a long term basis.
• Disadvantage : It may not work in every situation as there are stressful situations where the problems cannot be identified.
• Techniques
  • Time management
  • Asking for help or support
  • Getting organised
  • Better communication