In the Coping Model, what does the 'Control' step assess?

• A. The environment is safe and stable after the incident.
• B. The person's medical status.
• C. The staff's formal responsibilities.
• D. Determine if the person is back in emotional and physical control.

Answer: (D)

The emphasis here is on self-regulation after an incident. In the Coping Model, the Control step is about whether the person has regained emotional and physical control enough to engage safely and cooperatively. It focuses on their ability to calm down, communicate, and follow simple directions, signaling readiness to move toward recovery and engagement with a plan.

This isn’t about whether the environment is safe, which is a general safety check; nor is it about the person’s medical status, which would be addressed through medical evaluation; nor about staff duties or formal responsibilities, which relate to roles rather than the individual’s state. When the person is back in emotional and physical control, it indicates they’re ready to proceed with the next steps in a calm, cooperative way.