Skip to main content
Log in

Common problems and coping strategies I: Findings with normal adolescents

  • Published:
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated problems commonly experienced by adolescents and the strategies they use to cope with these events. Coping strategies were examined across the subjects' omotional state and their evaluation of the problem. In general, adolescents reported four common Stressors that were similar across age groups and gender. However, males differed from females in the frequency of these problems. Further, while the Stressors were similar, the frequency with which the coping strategies were employed and the efficacy ascribed to them differed across sex and across problem type. These findings are discussed in terms of the stress and coping literature with adults and the implications for clinical assessment and treatment of adolescents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1981). The role of coping responses and social resources in attenuating the stress of life events.Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 139–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. M., O'Keeffe, J., Sanders, S. H., & Baker, B. (1986). Developmental changes in children's cognition to stressful and painful situations.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 11, 343–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coddington, R. D. (1972). The significance of life events as etiologic factors in the diseases of children: II. A study of a normal population.Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 16, 205–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Compas, B. E. (1987). Coping with stress during childhood and adolescence.Psychological Bulletin, 101, 393–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curry, S. L., & Russ, S. W. (1985). Identifying coping strategies in children.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 14, 61–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felner, R. D., Aber, M. S., Primavera, J., & Cauce, A. M. (1985). Adaptation and vulnerability in high risk adolescents: An examination of environmental mediators.American Journal of Community Psychology, 13, 365–379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamburg, B. A., & Wortman, R. N. (1985). Adolescent development and psychopathology. In R. Michels & J. O. Cavenor (Eds.),Psychiatry (Vol. 2, Chap. 4). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, B. J. (1985). Adolescent coping and support across multiple social environments.American Journal of Community Psychology, 13, 381–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. L., Grossman, P., Landa, B., Shenker, L R., & Weinhold, C. (1986). Depressive symptoms and life events in physically ill hospitalized adolescents.Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 7, 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newcomb, M. D., Huba, G. J., & Bentler, P. M. (1986). Desirability of various life change events among adolescents: Effects of exposure, sex, age, and ethnicity.Journal of Research in Personality, 20, 207–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, A. C., & Hamburg, B. A. (1986). Adolescence: A developmental approach to problems in psychopathology.Behavior Therapy, 17, 480–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spirito, A., Stark, L. J., & Williams, C. (1988). Development of a brief checklist to assess coping in pediatric populations.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13, 555–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stattin, H., & Magnusson, D. (1981).Situation-outcome contingencies of threatening experiences: Age and sex differences. Report from the Department of Psychology, University of Stockholm, No. 580.

  • Stone, A. A., & Neale, J. M. (1984). New measure of daily coping: Development and preliminary results.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 892–906.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strober, M. (1984). Stressful life events associated with bulimia in anorexia nervosa.International Journal of Eating Disorders, 3, 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoits, P. (1982). Conceptual, methodological, and theoretical problems in studying social support as a buffer against life stress.Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 23, 145–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L. S., & Greene, J. W. (1987). Negative life events, psychosocial resources, and psychophysiological symptoms in adolescents.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 16, 29–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wills, T. A. (1986). Stress and coping in early adolescence: Relationships to substance use in urban school samples.Health Psychology, 5, 503–529.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stark, L.J., Spirito, A., Williams, C.A. et al. Common problems and coping strategies I: Findings with normal adolescents. J Abnorm Child Psychol 17, 203–212 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913794

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913794

Keywords

Navigation