What can enhance a person's ability to cope with stress?

Social support is considered a crucial factor in enhancing a person's ability to cope with stress. This support can come from friends, family, colleagues, or community networks, and it provides individuals with emotional comfort, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging. When individuals feel supported, they are more likely to view stressors as manageable challenges rather than overwhelming threats. Additionally, social support can help individuals gain perspective on their problems, share coping strategies, and reduce feelings of isolation or helplessness.

In contrast, isolation can exacerbate stress by leading to feelings of loneliness and helplessness, which can diminish resilience. Inflexibility reflects a person's inability to adapt to changing circumstances or view situations from different perspectives, limiting their coping resources. Denial involves refusing to acknowledge the stressor, which often prevents individuals from addressing the underlying issues and reduces their capacity to develop effective coping mechanisms.