Measuring Coping in Adolescents: An Application of the Ways of Coping Checklist

Abstract

Administered a modified version of the Ways of Coping Checklist to 306 adolescents to examine the reproducibility of a five-factor structure that had been previously established using adults. Four of these factors were confirmed: Problem Focused, Seeks Social Support, Wishful Thinking, and Avoidance. However, the factor Blamed Self was not supported Adolescents typically identified stressful situations involving school, family, and social contexts, whereas they infrequently depicted issues related to health and recreational activities. Subjects commonly identified issues concerning themselves or their parents and less frequently described stressful situations regarding a boyfriend/girlfriend, peer, or supervisor. Females identified stressful episodes involving a boyfriend/girlfriend more often than did males. Females tended to employ Seeks Social Support and Wishful Thinking coping strategies, whereas males used more Avoidance. African-American children used more coping strategies than did Caucasian child...