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Common problems and coping strategies. I: Findings with normal adolescents
L J Stark1, A Spirito, C A Williams
1Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence 02903.
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Adolescents experience common stressors, but coping strategy use and effectiveness vary by gender and problem type. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective adolescent mental health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Mental Health
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by unique stressors.
- Understanding adolescent coping mechanisms is vital for mental well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate common problems faced by adolescents.
- To examine the coping strategies adolescents employ in response to stressors.
- To analyze how emotional state and problem evaluation influence coping strategy selection.
Main Methods:
- Survey-based investigation of adolescent stressors.
- Analysis of coping strategy frequency and perceived efficacy.
- Examination of coping differences across gender and problem types.
Main Results:
- Four common stressors were identified across adolescent age groups and genders.
- Males and females reported different frequencies of specific problems.
- Coping strategy use and effectiveness varied significantly by sex and problem type.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent stress and coping patterns exhibit gender-specific differences.
- Findings have implications for tailored clinical assessments and treatments for adolescents.
- Further research can build upon adult stress and coping models for adolescent populations.