Examining the common stressors and coping methods of rural adolescents

The major objective of this study was to explore and examine common stressors and coping strategies of rural adolescents. Coping was defined as a cognitive and transactional process between a person and the person's environment. A survey of 222 normal adolescents attending a rural southwestern Pennsylvania high school reported experiencing stressful events related to school, family, friendship, health, and transportation. The coping strategy reported as being the most commonly used was optimistic. However, the coping strategy reported to be most effective in dealing with stressful events was supportant. The results of this study contribute to the limited information on adolescent coping in rural areas. This study should help health care providers further their understanding of this vulnerable population. Clinicians can enhance the effective coping and overall health of the rural adolescent by screening for and discussing coping strategies.