Understanding adolescent stress and coping through psychodynamic constructs: evidence from a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Developmental Science

Background:

• Adolescence is a critical period for stress vulnerability and coping strategy development.
• Psychodynamic constructs like personality structure and defense mechanisms are underexplored in relation to adolescent stress and coping.
• Understanding these links is crucial for addressing mental health challenges in adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between psychodynamic features (personality structure, conflicts, defenses) and stress perception/coping styles in adolescents.
• To compare these associations between adolescents with and without mental health problems.

Main Methods:

• 171 adolescents (14-21 years) completed self-report measures on stress, coping, psychodynamic conflicts, personality structure, and defense styles.
• Participants were categorized into clinical and healthy control groups based on mental health screening.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with mental health issues reported higher stress and more avoidant coping.
• Impairments in identity and attachment predicted heightened stress and dysfunctional coping, particularly in the clinical group.
• Specific psychodynamic conflicts (guilt, passive oedipal) and defense styles were linked to particular stress domains and reduced stress perception.

Conclusions:

• Psychodynamic constructs offer valuable insights into adolescent stress and coping.
• Attachment and personality structure-focused interventions are relevant for adolescent mental health.
• Integrating psychodynamic perspectives can enhance prevention and treatment strategies for adolescent stress and coping difficulties.