Which of the following are examples of problem focused coping behaviour?

A. Making efforts to improve themselves after setbacks.
B. Missing school when assignments not completed.
C. Feeling sorry for poor marks in the tests.
D. Discussing the problem with parents.
E. Blaming family members for poor performance.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

A, D only

The correct answer is Option (4) → A, D only

Problem-focused strategies attack the problem itself, with behaviours designed to gain information, to alter the event, and to alter belief and commitments. They increase the person’s awareness, level of knowledge, and range of behavioural and cognitive coping options. They can act to reduce the threat value of the event. For example “I made a plan of action and followed it”. Emotion-focused strategies call for psychological changes designed primarily to limit the degree of emotional disruption caused by an event, with minimal effort to alter the event itself. For example “I did some things to let it out of my system”.

Problem-focused coping involves taking active steps to solve the problem causing stress, rather than just reacting emotionally. It includes behaviors like:

• (A) Making efforts to improve themselves after setbacks – This shows taking initiative to overcome difficulties.

• (D) Discussing the problem with parents – This is a constructive step toward finding solutions or gaining support.

Other options reflect emotion-focused or avoidance coping:

• (B) Missing school – Avoidance behavior.

• (C) Feeling sorry – Emotion-focused, not solving the problem.

• (E) Blaming others – Shifting responsibility, not solving the issue.