Coping refers to the strategies people use to manage stress, challenges, or negative emotions. These strategies can be:
Problem-focused (solving the issue directly),
Emotion-focused (managing feelings about the issue), or
Avoidance-based (distracting oneself or withdrawing).
Effective coping supports resilience and well-being, while unhealthy coping (e.g., substance use) can worsen problems. Coping is not one-size-fits-all—it depends on personality, resources, and the situation.