A 32-year-old female patient presents to the clinic with signs of emotional distress and physical injuries that suggest a history of intimate partner violence. During the assessment, you note the patient’s reluctance to provide information and her fearful demeanor. You understand that patients experiencing abuse may exhibit various coping mechanisms in response to trauma.
As a nurse, it is essential to recognize the stages of coping in individuals who have faced abuse. In the scenario of abuse and neglect, patients often move through stages that include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Given this understanding, fill in the blank with the appropriate coping mechanism: One coping mechanism that may be observed in victims of abuse is __________.