Child Life Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The choice of problem-focused coping is accurate because this type of coping behavior actively targets and seeks to reduce the stressor causing anxiety or discomfort. It involves strategies that aim to tackle the source of the stress directly, such as problem-solving, seeking information, or making a plan of action to address the challenge.

For instance, if a child is anxious about an upcoming medical procedure, employing problem-focused coping might involve gathering information about the procedure, discussing it with a healthcare provider, or visualizing a positive outcome. This proactive approach helps to empower individuals by equipping them with the tools and insights necessary to manage their stress effectively.

Other types of coping behaviors, such as avoidant coping, typically involve withdrawal from the stressor or denying its existence, which does not address the underlying issue. Affective coping focuses more on managing emotions rather than directly solving the problem, while active coping suggests a general engagement with the challenge but does not specifically emphasize addressing the stressor itself. Hence, problem-focused coping is the most effective strategy here for reducing the impact of a stressor.