Objective: There have been multiple criticisms against commonly used theories of coping limiting their usefulness in research and practice. Method: This paper describes and evaluates a new functional conceptualisation of reactions to reduce distress or unpleasant emotions, the Health Theory of Coping. Results: The theory recognises that all coping reactions are adaptive and may initially reduce distress and categorises these strategies as either healthy or unhealthy, depending on their likelihood of adverse consequences. Categories are conceptually clear, mutually exclusive, comprehensive, functionally homogenous, functionally distinct, generative and flexible, overcoming limitations of previous theories. The theory captures a hierarchy of strategies across the continua of internality, intensity, and adversity. Healthy coping categories are self‐soothing, relaxing or distracting activities, social support, and professional support. Unhealthy categories are negative self‐talk, harmful activities, social withdrawal, and suicidality. All coping strategies fit within one of these categories. Conclusions: The categorisation of coping strategies as either healthy or unhealthy is empirically supported. The Health Theory of Coping has clinical utility in stigma reduction, suicide prevention, and treatment of physical and psychiatric illnesses.

中文翻译：

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应对的健康理论

目标：对于限制其在研究和实践中的有用性的常用应对理论存在多种批评。方法：本文描述并评估了一种新的功能概念化反应，以减少痛苦或不愉快的情绪，即应对健康理论。结果：该理论承认所有应对反应都是适应性的，最初可能会减少痛苦，并将这些策略归类为健康或不健康，这取决于它们产生不利后果的可能性。类别在概念上清晰、相互排斥、全面、功能同质、功能不同、生成和灵活，克服了先前理论的局限性。该理论捕捉了跨越内在性、强度和逆境的连续性策略的层次结构。健康应对类别包括自我安慰、放松或分散注意力的活动、社会支持和专业支持。不健康的类别是消极的自我对话、有害活动、社交退缩和自杀。所有应对策略都属于这些类别之一。结论：应对策略分类为健康或不健康是有经验支持的。应对健康理论在减少耻辱感、预防自杀以及治疗身体和精神疾病方面具有临床效用。经验支持将应对策略分类为健康或不健康。应对健康理论在减少耻辱感、预防自杀以及治疗身体和精神疾病方面具有临床效用。经验支持将应对策略分类为健康或不健康。应对健康理论在减少耻辱感、预防自杀以及治疗身体和精神疾病方面具有临床效用。