Question

people tend to use emotion - focused rather than problem - focused coping strategies when they: enter the resistance phase of the general adaptation syndrome. believe they cannot change a stressful situation. appraise a stressful event as a challenge rather than a threat. deal with the stress of daily hassles, such as obnoxious cell - phone talkers.

Explanation:

Emotion - focused coping is used when people believe they cannot change a stressful situation. Problem - focused coping is for situations where they think they can make a change. In the resistance phase of the general adaptation syndrome, it's about the body's physiological response. Appraising a stressful event as a challenge (rather than a threat) is more related to a positive mindset in dealing with stress, which may not directly lead to emotion - focused coping. Dealing with daily hassles like obnoxious cell - phone talkers can sometimes be addressed with problem - focused coping (e.g., asking them to be quiet).

Answer:

believe they cannot change a stressful situation.