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Purpose and coping with adversity: A repeated measures, mixed-methods study with young adolescents
Heather Malin1, Emily Morton1, Amber Nadal2
1Stanford University, USA.
Journal of Adolescence
|August 13, 2019
Summary
Adolescents with a strong sense of purpose in life use positive reframing coping strategies more effectively when facing adversity. This suggests purpose can help buffer negative experiences and promote resilience.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Coping Mechanisms
Background:
- Purpose in life is linked to better outcomes after adversity.
- The underlying mechanisms connecting purpose and coping are not well understood.
- Young adolescents are a key developmental stage for understanding these relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between purpose in life and coping strategies among young adolescents.
- To examine how purpose influences positive reframing coping in response to adversity.
- To explore the temporal dynamics of purpose and coping over time.
Main Methods:
- A repeated measures, mixed-methods design was employed.
- 1357 adolescents completed surveys on purpose, negative life events, and coping over 18 months.
- Interviews with 91 adolescents explored their perceptions of purpose, adversity, and coping.
Main Results:
- Survey data revealed a significant association between purpose in life and positive reframing coping, with both changing concurrently over time.
- Qualitative interview data indicated that purpose can serve as a direct response to negative life experiences.
- Adolescents' sense of purpose appears to be dynamic and influenced by adversity.
Conclusions:
- Purpose in life and positive reframing coping are interconnected and co-evolve, particularly during adolescence.
- Purpose may act as a psychological resource that facilitates adaptive coping with adversity.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific factors and processes mediating this relationship.
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