A negative coping response is described as leading to which outcome?

• A. Decreased self-efficacy
• B. Increased self-efficacy
• C. Immediate long-term success
• D. No effect on behavior

Answer: (A)

When a coping response is negative, it tends to erode a person’s belief in their ability to handle future challenges. This belief, called self-efficacy, is strengthened by successful, constructive coping and weakened when coping efforts fail or backfire. Negative coping—like avoidance, denial, or rumination—does not improve the situation and often makes challenges feel more overwhelming, so confidence in one’s capability to cope decreases. With lower self-efficacy, motivation, persistence, and effective problem-solving decline, creating a cycle of less adaptive coping and poorer outcomes. So the outcome most aligned with a negative coping response is a decrease in self-efficacy. It wouldn’t lead to increased self-efficacy, it doesn’t guarantee immediate long-term success, and it does have effects on behavior over time.