Question

Explain the difference in problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping and provide an example of each, and describe under what stressful conditions each should be used to effectively cope.

Answer 1

The basic difference between the problem focused coping and emotional focused coping is the control point. In problem focused coping the control is in the hands of the person, so they can act on it and reduce or make the stress or stressor nil. In Emotional focused coping, the control is not in the person’s hand and they end up doing something else instead of solving the real problem.

Problem Focused Coping – Imagine that you are in a problematic relationship and you think you are under tremendous pressure. You always have the freedom to just leave that relationship and be single or look for another relationship. This comes under the avoidance coping mechanism. We can overcome problems by managing time well thus meeting the deadlines, getting help from others when we can’t do it on our own or we can entirely change our situation because it’s in our control.

Emotion Focused Coping – Imagine the same situation of a problematic relationship. You don’t want to leave the person but undergo the struggle almost every day, so you end up in drugs, alcohol or some other creative writing or doing meditation.