Answer:
Where's the story? It's not mentioned in the questions.
Answer:a. being with others has the potential to reduce the negative impact of the situation.
Explanation: affiliate means to connect to a certain group. Usually when you are stressed you are likely to go partying or meet up with the friends only if you feel that being with them will make you feel a little bit less stressed. If they have there is a potential that they may make things worse you are likely not to affiliate.
Demetrius says "I love thee not therefore pursue me not" in A Midsummer Nights Dream, by William Shakespeare
It is full of his peculiar verisimilitude and has all the interest of Anson's or Dampier's voyages, with a charm of style superior to even that of the latter.