What Are Coping Skills And Why Are They So Important?
As a therapist, I work with a variety of populations and problems. Different interventions and techniques work for each client. However, there is one thing that works for everyone, no matter the age or the complaint: coping skills. A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 75% of Americans experienced symptoms of stress in any month, and nearly 50% of the American population reported having a hard time falling asleep or lying awake for longer than usual because of stress. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who experience the negative effects of stress, and it seems that stress continues to rise. So, what do you do for stress? Or better yet, how do you cope?
Coping skills help us adapt and deal with the negative experiences we have. If we use them effectively, they allow us to learn from our experiences to become healthier and more secure. There are a few types of coping skills: problem-focused vs. emotion-focused, active vs. avoidant, and adaptive vs maladaptive.
Problem Focused Vs. Emotion Focused Coping Skills
Problem-focused coping skills can be described as solution-focused coping skills. These coping skills can change the situation or solve the problem that was causing the negative experience.
Emotion-focused coping skills are more focused on the emotions you are struggling with in the midst of a negative situation. For example, it can be helpful to reach out to a therapist or friend to discuss these negative emotions. It can be incredibly helpful to address emotions in the coping process.
Active Vs. Avoidant Coping Skills
Active coping skills are described as having an idea of what is causing the stress and one’s response to reduce the stress. Interestingly, active coping skills can focus solely on the problem, the emotion, or both!
Avoidant coping skills are characterized by ignoring the problem and the stress you are having. It may feel overwhelming to face the cause of your stress and/or try to tackle all of your emotions. Using these coping skills does not get to the root of the stress, which could continue to worsen as time goes on.
Adaptive Vs. Maladaptive Coping Skills
Adaptive coping skills are evident when you assess the problem, then either use problem-focused coping skills to search for solutions or use emotion-focused coping skills to reach out for help. These skills encourage healing, healthy habits, and lower levels of stress.
Maladaptive coping skills may work at first, but are not effective in the long run. These coping skills may feel good for a while. They may even be acceptable in certain circles. However, they do not lead to a healthier outcome. They are often unhealthy and worsen your stress. Some common maladaptive coping skills include the use of drugs or alcohol to deal with emotions. Some common healthy options include exercise, taking a walk, having a bath, seeking support from others, watching a movie, or journaling.
There are many options for finding coping skills that work for you. It may feel overwhelming to take the first step, and some find they struggle with motivation. If this is you, Family Therapy Associates would love to help you navigate your situation and start combating your stress with healthy ways to cope.
You might also enjoy reading our article 6 Ways to Improve How You Navigate Change.
