A client channels anxious energy into productive activity, such as organizing a community fundraiser after a personal loss. This BEST illustrates which defense mechanism?

Sublimation is generally considered a mature, adaptive defense mechanism in which a person channels unacceptable or distressing impulses and energy into socially acceptable, constructive activities — such as directing grief into organizing a beneficial community project. Repression is unconsciously blocking distressing thoughts from awareness; rationalization is justifying behavior with logical-sounding but inaccurate reasons; and regression is reverting to earlier behaviors. Recognizing defense mechanisms and identifying sublimation as a comparatively healthy form of coping is a standard psychosocial concept. (This reflects general concepts; verify against current NCLEX prep materials.)