Children's perspective of stress and coping: an integrative review

This integrative review of children's perceptions of stressors and coping strategies contained only 14 studies published from September 1979 to March 1989. Most of these descriptive studies were theory-based research using convenience samples of children (aged 8-12 years) in urban settings. Commonly identified stressful events were fear of negative evaluation (adult or peer), parental conflict or loss, and conflict with an adult. Categories of commonly identified coping strategies were social support, physical activities, and avoidance activities. Individual studies reported that more children tended to catastrophize than to cope; normal amounts of stress may enhance a familial tendency for migraines; increased information and age tended to increase the amount of active modes of coping while in the hospital; and children given frequent and complete information about their sibling's illness tended to be more positive about their own development. Recommendations for further research are included.