Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
The role of coping strategies in interpersonal identity development of war-affected immigrant adolescents
Gülendam Akgül1, Theo Klimstra2, Figen Çok3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Çankırı Karatekin University, Çankırı, Turkey.
Abstract:
Increasing immigration around the world has affected the lives of children and adolescents. The ability to cope with the stress of migration and adaptation to a new culture likely is an important protective factor for optimal identity development under these conditions. The present study examined the role of coping strategies in interpersonal identity development among immigrant adolescents. The sample consisted of 93 (43% females) first-generation immigrant adolescents who migrated to Turkey due to war in their home countries. They have been living in the suburbs in Ankara and attending regular public schools. A two-wave longitudinal design was employed with a 4-month interval between waves. Identity development was measured using the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale focusing on the dimensions commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment in the domain of interpersonal relations. The coping strategies problem-solving, social support seeking, and avoidance were assessed with the Coping Strategies Scale. Results showed that none of the identity dimensions significantly predicted the use of specific coping strategies. However, different coping strategies predicted relative change in some identity dimensions. These results are discussed in light of previous findings on associations between identity development and coping strategies in different populations, and the difficulties associated with being an immigrant.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

