Which coping strategy represents adaptive support seeking in stress management?

Which coping strategy represents adaptive support seeking in stress management?

• A. Seeking social support
• B. Denial of problem
• C. Substance use
• D. Reassurance from untrained staff

Answer: (A)

Seeking social support is an adaptive coping strategy in stress management. When stress hits, turning to trusted people—family, friends, coworkers, or trained professionals—for emotional comfort, practical help, information, or a different perspective can lessen the sense of threat and isolation. This kind of support helps regulate emotions, improve problem-solving, and boost resilience, making the stressor feel more manageable. Denial avoids addressing the issue and often prolongs distress. Substance use introduces additional health risks and can worsen coping over time. Relying on reassurance from untrained staff may be unreliable or inappropriate and won’t provide the constructive help that comes from genuine, informed support.

Seeking social support is an adaptive coping strategy in stress management. When stress hits, turning to trusted people—family, friends, coworkers, or trained professionals—for emotional comfort, practical help, information, or a different perspective can lessen the sense of threat and isolation. This kind of support helps regulate emotions, improve problem-solving, and boost resilience, making the stressor feel more manageable. Denial avoids addressing the issue and often prolongs distress. Substance use introduces additional health risks and can worsen coping over time. Relying on reassurance from untrained staff may be unreliable or inappropriate and won’t provide the constructive help that comes from genuine, informed support.