Reactive, Anticipatory, Preventive, and Proactive Coping: A Theoretical Distinction

This article introduces an innovative coping theory that may help to facilitate the design of educational and psychological interventions aimed at adolescent risk behaviors. It makes a distinction between reactive, anticipatory, preventive, and proactive coping. Reactive coping refers to harm or loss experienced in the past, whereas anticipatory coping pertains to inevitable threats in the near future. Preventive coping refers to uncertain threats in the distant future, while proactive coping involves future challenges that are seen as self-promoting.

Proactive coping theory may be seen as bridging the gap between the construct of coping and the constructs of action and volition. Extending the concept of coping to tenacious goal pursuit and personal growth offers a more comprehensive and precise depiction of human beings in their struggles and strivings. Building upon the distinction of prevention and promotion, it might be advantageous for interventions to consider the proactive coping perspective to promote growth and well-being in adolescents.