Causal links between stressful events, coping style, and adolescent symptomatology (original) (raw)

2000, Journal of Adolescence

In a longitudinal study, the causal links between different types of stressors, coping styles and adolescent symptomatology were investigated. A total of 94 adolescents and their mothers participated in three annual assessments of critical life events, daily stressors and coping styles. The longitudinal associations between life events, everyday stressors, a dysfunctional coping style and symptomatology were analyzed via a pathanalytic model. Critical life events and daily stressors were found to be strongly related over time; however, the type of stressor was not consistently linked with adolescent symptomatology. In contrast, withdrawal, a form of avoidant coping, emerged as a significant predictor of adolescent symptomatology across all times. Further, emotional and behavioral problems led to a time-lagged increase in withdrawal, creating a vicious circle. The results are discussed with reference to the coping-skill deficit model.

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact