When using psychological strategies to cope with stressors to decrease anxiety, a person is using what?

The correct answer is coping strategies. When individuals employ psychological methods to manage stressors and alleviate anxiety, they are actively engaging in coping strategies. These strategies are specific approaches that individuals use to handle demands and challenges effectively, allowing them to process emotions, reevaluate problems, and seek solutions.

Coping strategies can be adaptive—leading to positive outcomes, such as problem-solving and seeking social support—or maladaptive, which might involve avoidance or denial. However, the fundamental aspect remains: they are techniques specifically designed to cope with stress and anxiety.

Defense mechanisms are subconscious processes that protect individuals from anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings. They typically act outside of conscious awareness and may not directly address the stressors themselves. While they can provide immediate relief, they often do not result in long-term coping or resolution of the underlying issues.

Mindfulness techniques involve present-moment awareness and acceptance, aiming to reduce stress and anxiety through focused attention and observation. While they can be effective coping methods, they are a subset of coping strategies rather than a blanket term for all techniques used to manage stress.

Therapeutic interventions refer to broader treatments typically delivered by healthcare professionals to address mental health issues. While they may incorporate coping strategies, they cover a wide range of approaches and methods that