Approach-Behavior Coping | Approach-Cognitive Coping |
Confronting, threatening, arguing, information-seeking, social support, explaining, friendly non-verbal/verbal affirmation, verbal acknowledgment, discussing, catastrophizing, speaking to a mentor or supervisor, receiving counseling, soliciting opinions from others. | Covert rehearsal, planning, analyzing, self-talk reanalyzing, justifying, psyching-up, prayer (if related to coping with the stress), self-statements, logic/reason. |
Avoidance-Behavior Coping | Avoidance-Cognitive Coping |
Walking away, social engineering (avoiding a certain location), exercise, reading, watching television, listening to music, attending church, ingesting an alcoholic beverage, recreational ctivity, engaging in sexual behavior, playing or watching sports, reading, target shooting. | Discounting, psychological distancing, labeling, empathy, thought-stopping, ignoring, self-talk, mental imagery, progressive relaxation, focusing on the next a task, prayer (if focusing on the Lord and not on the stressor). |
Examples of Ineffective/Maladaptive Approach and Avoidance Coping | |
Excessive alcohol, smoking, mind-altering drugs, emotional eating, prolonged anger and hostility, car speeding, thoughts of self- destructive actions, negative self-talk, rumination (repeating self-blame), resignation (helplessness/hopelessness), exhibit bad mood toward others, excessive exercise. |