Which defense mechanism involves putting off confronting a distressing situation?

The defense mechanism that involves putting off confronting a distressing situation is avoidance. This mechanism entails a conscious decision to evade dealing with a stressful issue or emotion, often leading individuals to avoid the situation altogether, whether physically or mentally. It allows a person to escape anxiety or discomfort by sidestepping the source of their distress.

In contrast, withdrawal can involve emotionally detaching from a situation rather than actively avoiding it, such as pulling back from interactions or engagement but not necessarily postponing confrontation with a distressing situation. Suppression refers to the conscious decision to not think about or engage with certain thoughts or feelings but can often be a temporary measure rather than a complete avoidance. Rationalization involves justifying behavior or feelings in a way that makes them seem reasonable, without addressing the underlying distress directly. Thus, avoidance is specifically about delaying confrontation and is the most fitting choice in this context.