First — because getting definitions down is central to discussing topics — what exactly does coping mean? It generally involves how an individual cognitively deals with stress-triggering events. These events can start from within the individual (feeling anxious about starting a new job or going on a first date, waking up with a severe headache, losing your phone while running errands); or from an outside source (your manager lets you go from a job, or many of your first dates catfish you, or an argument with a significant other causes your headache) — there are no shortage of stress-triggers, major or minor, in life.
Problem-focused coping means the individual dealing with a stress trigger is actively working on keeping it under control. This may happen through finding a long-term solution to the problem, or connecting with other individuals who help create solutions and provide a support system to go with that.
Emotion-focused coping, on the other hand, can range from taking out time to meditate, to finding ways to be distracted, to using alcohol or other drugs to escape reality.
Ultimately, both forms of coping (within reason, of course) have their place — however, when we assess the differences between the two, problem-focused coping may have better long term benefits, as the whole premise is to create lasting solutions.
Yet problem-focused coping may not always be the best mechanism to start with in certain situations. For instance, if my house were robbed, or destroyed in a fire, my immediate coping response probably wouldn’t be to go out and buy a new house that same day.
Instead, I would first most likely use emotion-focused coping to flush out my feelings and hopefully find quality distractions that help prevent me from having a meltdown or feeling despaired. Perhaps I would talk with a best friend, or get out of my environment for a couple of days to somewhere more tranquil. Above all, it is important not to choose escapes that become full-on addictions or stray far from employing problem-focused coping.
On a side note, it appears that a somewhat newly defined, third form of coping mechanism — called meaning-focused coping — is also an option. In short, meaning-focused coping is often used when, say, a problem-focused coping method is not working so well; therefore, individual dealing with the stress-trigger realigns with his/her own values and goals, and uses a fresh approach to problem-focused or or emotion-focused coping.
Now, how about the biological links to coping mechanisms?
We know that the amygdala has a central role in our emotion-based reactions, including the “fight or flight’ mechanism that is rooted in biological evolution. The hippocampus and the basal ganglia are also involved with how we process and manage stress.
In addition, a person who is genetically predisposed to nervous system issues could have a faulty serotonin transporter, also known as SLC64A. Several studies have shown links between SLC64A dysfunction (tied to the L/L genotype) and emotion-focused coping. A study conducted on male college students showed a link between SLC64A and drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism, as well as general feelings of sadness and fear.
Further, varying genotypes are also linked to coping skills or lack thereof. For example, a study conducted on 170 students with a European heritage revealed that those with “s-carrier” genotypes did not have as effective, or as numerous, coping mechanisms as non-carriers or those with a L/L genotype. Yet, interestingly, other studies, similar to the one conducted on the male college students, have confirmed that individuals with an L/L genotype are more prone to use alcohol as a coping mechanism than individuals with an s-carrier genotype.
That said, nature and nurture are yet again partner factors in human behavior.
McLeod, S. (2015). Stress Management. https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-management.html
Schoenmakers, E., Tilburg, T., Fokkema, T. (2015). Problem-focused and emotion-focused coping options and loneliness: how are they related?. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549139/
ScienceDirect. (2016). Problem-Focused Coping. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/problem-focused-coping
Dunn, S., Conley, Y. (2014). A Systematic Review of Genetic Influences on Coping. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371543/