Adaptive Coping Mechanisms, also called Healthy Coping Strategies

Adaptive coping are cognitive/behavioral efforts to manage stressful conditions and emotional distress—and have positive effects on health by building emotional resiliency. Protective, flexible coping styles (problem-solving and information-seeking strategies) decrease adverse effects of stressors as they occur, reduce them from occurring in the first place, and lead to better adaptation than more restricted or rigid ways of coping. Avoidance of painful emotions is often the motivating force in taking maladaptive approaches (substance abuse, binge eating, suicide) to control, avoid, or regulate painful emotions. Two main coping mechanisms:

• Problem-based coping: Modifying the stressor by removing it from our life—relieving anxiety/sadness by ending an unhealthy relationship, not just dealing with the emotions.
• Emotion-based coping: Regulating emotional distress caused by a stressor in a situation we don’t want to or can’t control—coping with loved one’s death in a healthy way.