What it means
The ways people deal with stress. Healthy (adaptive) strategies include talking to someone, problem-solving, exercise, relaxation, prayer and asking for help. Unhealthy (maladaptive) ones give short-term relief but cause harm, such as drinking, drug use, withdrawing from others or self-harm. Coping can focus on fixing the problem or on handling the feelings it causes.
For the nurse
Ask how the client has handled hard times before and build on what worked. Teach new skills such as deep breathing, and refer to support groups or counseling when coping is not enough.
At a glance
| Spanish | estrategia de afrontamiento |
|---|---|
| Also written | coping strategies |
Related terms
substance use disorder
A condition in which a person keeps using alcohol or another drug even though it is causing them harm.
therapeutic communication
Purposeful, client-centered communication that helps a client express feelings and work toward health.
mood
A person's inner emotional state that lasts over time, as the person describes it.