Examining Changes in Active Coping Strategies Among Latinx Adolescents: Latent Growth Curve

As active coping strategies support the development and adjustment of Latinx adolescents, it is important to identify periods of growth and decline. Yet, no work has examined trajectories of active coping within the unique developmental context of Latinx adolescents. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine changes in active coping strategies during the transition from middle to high school (Goal 1) and (b) explore variations in the trajectories of active coping by gender and nativity (Goal 2) among Latinx adolescents.

Using latent growth curve analysis, trajectories of active coping strategies across the transition from middle to high school, (i.e., 3 time points, 8th grade, 9th grade, and 10th grade) were examined among 288 Latinx adolescents at ages 13 to15 at Time 1 (M_ageT1 = 13.69, SD_ageT1 = 0.56).

The study found stability in the trajectory of active coping during the transition from 8th to 9th grade, but a significant curvilinear decline in active coping during the transition from 9th grade to 10th grade; there were no differences in the trajectory of active coping by gender and nativity.

The findings suggest that the transition from 9th grade to 10th grade is a sensitive period that clinical and educational program administrators may want to target when focusing on developing active coping among Latinx adolescents.