The use of alcohol to handle issues such as negative feelings or difficulty sleeping is called:

• A. Maladaptive coping
• B. Resilience
• C. Cognitive reappraisal
• D. Problem-focused coping

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of coping strategies in psychology, which are methods people use to manage stress and emotional difficulties.
2. Step 2: Recognize that 'maladaptive coping' refers to coping strategies that may reduce stress temporarily but ultimately have negative consequences or do not effectively resolve the underlying problem.
3. Step 3: Identify that using alcohol to handle negative feelings or sleep difficulties is an example of a coping mechanism that might provide short-term relief but can lead to harmful effects, fitting the definition of maladaptive coping.
4. Step 4: Differentiate maladaptive coping from other options: 'Resilience' is the ability to recover from stress, 'Cognitive reappraisal' involves changing the way one thinks about a situation, and 'Problem-focused coping' involves actively addressing the problem causing stress.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the use of alcohol in this context is best described as maladaptive coping because it is a harmful way to manage emotional or sleep-related issues rather than a constructive or healthy strategy.