Relations between stress, coping strategies, and prosocial behavior in U.S. Mexican college students

Abstract

Objective We explored the explanatory roles of active and avoidant coping in the link between stress and emotional prosocial behavior in U.S. Mexican college students. Participants: Participants included 148 college students (Mage = 23 years, 67% female, 84% born in the U.S.) who self-identified as Mexican or U.S. Mexican or noted that their parents or grandparents were of Mexican or U.S. Mexican origin. Methods: Introduction to Psychology students at state universities in California and Texas completed a self-report survey packet and received class credit for their participation. Data were analyzed via path analysis using Mplus 8.1 software. Results: U.S. Mexican college students’ stress was indirectly associated with their emotional prosocial behavior through both active and avoidant coping strategies. Conclusions: Relations between stress and adjustment (i.e., emotional prosocial behavior) is dependent upon individuals’ coping tendencies. U.S. Mexicans may cope with their stress by engaging in emotional prosocial behavior.