Question

Arjun was stressed due to upcoming entrance examinations. Instead of avoiding his problems, he prepared a study schedule, practiced meditation daily, and discussed his worries with close friends. Over time, he felt calmer and more confident. The coping techniques used by Arjun in the above case are examples of:

• A. Maladaptive coping
• B. Emotion-focused and problem-focused coping
• C. Substance dependence
• D. Avoidance behavior

Hint:

Problem-focused coping tries to solve the problem, while emotion-focused coping tries to control feelings produced by the problem.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Coping refers to the methods used by individuals to handle stress and difficult situations. Psychologists mainly classify coping strategies into:

• Problem-focused coping — directly dealing with the source of stress.
• Emotion-focused coping — managing emotional reactions caused by stress.

Healthy coping strategies help a person reduce stress and improve emotional balance.

Step 1: Identifying the stressful situation.
Arjun was stressed because of upcoming entrance examinations. Examinations can create pressure, anxiety, and fear regarding performance and future outcomes.

Step 2: Recognizing problem-focused coping behavior.
Arjun prepared a study schedule. This strategy directly addresses the cause of stress by improving preparation and time management. Such actions are called problem-focused coping because the person actively tries to solve the problem causing stress. \[ \text{Study schedule} \Rightarrow \text{Problem-focused coping} \]

Step 3: Recognizing emotion-focused coping behavior.
Arjun also:

• Practiced meditation
• Shared worries with close friends

Meditation helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety. Talking to friends provides emotional support and relief. These methods help control emotional stress rather than directly solving the external problem. Therefore, these are examples of emotion-focused coping. \[ \text{Meditation and emotional support} \Rightarrow \text{Emotion-focused coping} \]

Step 4: Analyzing the incorrect options.
Option (A): Maladaptive coping
Maladaptive coping includes unhealthy methods such as aggression, denial, smoking, or substance abuse. Arjun did not use such methods. Option (C): Substance dependence
Substance dependence means relying on alcohol or drugs to handle stress. This is not mentioned in the case. Option (D): Avoidance behavior
Avoidance behavior means escaping from stressful situations instead of dealing with them. Arjun faced his stress positively rather than avoiding it.

Step 5: Final conclusion.
Arjun used both active planning and emotional stress management techniques. Hence, the coping strategies are: \[ \boxed{\text{Emotion-focused and problem-focused coping}} \]