Which coping strategy alleviates stress by actively trying to eliminate the stressor?

• A. Emotion-Focused Coping
• B. Problem-Focused Coping
• C. Social Support
• D. Meditation

Answer: (B)

When people face stress, some strategies focus on the problem itself and how to change or remove the source of stress, while others focus on managing the emotional response. The approach that actively tries to eliminate the stressor is problem-focused coping. It involves practical actions like solving the problem, planning steps, gathering information, or altering the situation so the stressor is reduced or removed. For example, if a heavy workload is causing stress, you might re-prioritize tasks, delegate parts of the work, or adjust deadlines to remove the stressor. In contrast, emotion-focused coping aims to lessen emotional distress without necessarily changing the stressor, such as by reframing thoughts or seeking reassurance; meditation can help with relaxation, but neither directly eliminates the stressor itself.