Coping - GCSE Psychology Definition

Coping refers to the strategies and methods that individuals use to manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations. In the context of GCSE Psychology, coping can include both problem-focused strategies, aimed at tackling the source of stress, and emotion-focused strategies, which focus on managing emotional responses to stressors. Understanding coping is important as it highlights how people adapt to life's difficulties and can involve cognitive and behavioural efforts to handle both internal pressures and external challenges. Effective coping can lead to better psychological well-being and is an essential concept for students exploring mental health and resilience.