An example of emotion-focused coping occurs when an individual grieves the death of a loved one. Because they are powerless to change the situation or bring the deceased person back, problem-focused strategies cannot alter the stressor. Instead, the individual must use emotion-focused coping to process their emotions and minimize the pain of the grieving period.

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Emotion-focused coping consists of efforts to reduce or manage the negative emotional responses associated with stress, rather than changing the stressor itself. This approach is more likely to be used when individuals believe they are powerless to change the stressful situation, making it particularly effective for dealing with uncontrollable stressors.

Emotion-Focused Coping and Uncontrollable Stressors

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Some Alzheimer's patients described having less feelings of distress because they cognitively appraised the meaning of their diagnosis (i.e., comparing themselves with other people of their age helped them cope and adjust).

Alzheimer's patients' cognitive appraisal

Which of the Following Stressors Would Probably Be Better Handled by Emotional-Focused Coping Than Problem-Focused Coping?

Reappraisal is a cognitive technique within emotion-focused coping where an individual reinterprets a stressor to diminish its perceived threat. This reinterpretation, which can sometimes be self-deceptive, modifies the emotional reaction without altering the objective reality of the situation.

Reappraisal as an Emotion-Focused Coping Strategy

Emotion-focused coping strategies are typically prioritized when individuals face stressors they perceive as uncontrollable. For instance, when grieving the death of a loved one, it is impossible to change the situation (the loss), so coping efforts are directed at managing the resulting emotional distress.

Coping with Uncontrollable Stressors

An example of emotion-focused coping can be seen in a student who, after learning they are failing a class, chooses to manage their stress by engaging in distracting activities. Instead of addressing the academic problem, they might watch a movie, play video games, or browse social media to temporarily escape the negative feelings associated with the situation.

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