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Poly-Victimization and Coping Profiles: Relationship With Externalizing Symptoms in Adolescents
Cristóbal Guerra1, Noemí Pereda2, Georgina Guilera2
1Universidad Santo Tomas, Viña del Mar, Chile.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|January 4, 2018
Summary
Adolescents experiencing poly-victimization and using nonproductive coping strategies are more likely to develop externalizing symptoms. Positive coping mechanisms can protect against these behavioral problems.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Externalizing symptoms, characterized by aggression and norm violation, are prevalent in adolescents, particularly those with multiple victimization experiences.
- The underlying mechanisms connecting poly-victimization to externalizing symptoms and potential protective factors remain underexplored.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for effective prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent behavioral disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between coping strategies, poly-victimization, and externalizing symptoms in adolescents.
- To identify specific coping profiles associated with varying levels of externalizing symptomatology.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 144 adolescent outpatients (mean age 14.31) from mental health services.
- Participants completed validated scales measuring coping strategies, poly-victimization, and externalizing symptoms.
- Cluster analysis was employed to identify distinct coping profiles among the participants.
Main Results:
- Poly-victimization and nonproductive coping strategies were directly associated with increased externalizing symptoms.
- Coping strategies involving seeking support from others and productive coping demonstrated an inverse relationship with externalizing symptoms.
- Three distinct coping profiles emerged: 'active-balanced' (lowest symptoms), 'lonely' (highest symptoms), and an intermediate group.
Conclusions:
- Poly-victimization and specific coping styles significantly influence the development of externalizing problems in adolescents.
- The findings highlight the importance of promoting adaptive coping strategies, such as seeking social support and employing productive coping, to mitigate externalizing symptoms.
- Results provide a foundation for developing targeted prevention and treatment programs for adolescent externalizing disorders.
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