Avoidance-oriented Coping Strategies Research Articles

The Effect of Benson's Relaxation Technique on Coping Strategies Among Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Informal caregivers of cancer patients often experience high levels of stress and burden, leading to the adoption of ineffective coping strategies. This can result in psychological problems for the caregivers and inadequate care provision. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Benson's relaxation technique (BRT) on coping strategies among informal caregivers of cancer patients. This open-label randomized clinical trial enrolled 113 caregivers visiting the radiotherapy and chemotherapy departments of Vasei Hospital in Sabzevar, Iran, who scored ≥48 on the Novak and Guest Caregiver Burden Inventory. The participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received BRT, with participants performing the technique twice a day for 20 minutes each time over a 1-month period. The control group did not receive any intervention. Coping strategies were assessed using Endler and Parker's coping strategies inventory. The findings of the study revealed that the intervention group showed an increase in the utilization of problem-oriented coping strategies (P = .076) and a decrease in the utilization of emotion-oriented coping strategies (P < .001) and avoidance-oriented coping strategies in the intervention group compared with the control group (P = .004). Findings suggest that BRT, as a cost-effective and nonpharmacological intervention, effectively reduces the reliance on emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies among informal caregivers of cancer patients. Healthcare professionals working in oncology settings are encouraged to incorporate BRT into their care practices.

Gender and country differences in academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout in a sample of Italian and Russian first-year university students

BackgroundThe first year of university represents a challenging period that requires students to make significant investments in adaptive resources to face the new academic environment. The present study intends to contribute to the controversial discussion of gender differences in academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout. This cross-sectional study examined above-mentioned constructs among first-year university students in a cross-cultural context. MethodsThe sample consisted of 637 Italian and 496 Russian first-year university students (n = 1133), 40.3% of whom were females. The participants’ ages ranged from 17 to 23 years, with a mean age of 18.75 years (SD = 1.07). To assess academic motivation, coping strategies, and academic burnout, participants responded to the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI–SS) application. ResultsThe findings reveal gender and country differences in academic motivation, emotion and avoidance oriented coping strategies, and emotional exhaustion and expands previous studies in this educational area. ConclusionGiven the technical nature of the research topic, the target audience for our study is academic career guidance practitioners, who can apply the findings to the design of effective programmes aimed at improving positive academic goals and reducing the tendency to switch academic courses or abandon the university among first-year students.

Comparing the effect of prolonged exposure therapy (PET) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) on the quality of life among veterans with PTSD

ABSTRACT Veterans’ quality of life (QoL) can be drastically affected by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We compared prolonged exposure therapy (PET) with metacognitive therapy (MCT) in their effects on quality of life (QoL) among veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Overall, 57 veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned to three groups MCT (N = 17), PET (N = 17), and Control (N = 23). The 36-item short-form survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate QoL pretest, posttest, and after a 3-month follow-up. The MCT was based on the practice of detached mindfulness, controlling rumination/anxiety, and challenging negative beliefs about symptoms. The PET was based on in-vivo and imaginal exposure to trauma-related events, and discontinuation of avoidance-oriented coping strategies. Both MCT and PET groups significantly improved QoL at posttest and follow-up, compared with the control group (P < .001); however, the MCT and PET groups showed no significant difference at posttest (P = .644) or follow-up (P = .646). Our results support the efficacy of PET as the standard for PTSD treatment, while also signifying the effectiveness of MCT at increasing the QoL in war-related PTSD at a 3-month follow-up.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war on stress and anxiety in students: A systematic review.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 2019 and the Russian-Ukrainian war in February 2022 created restrictions and uncertainties that affected the general population's mental health. One of the affected groups was students. This systematic review summarizes the current literature on the prevalence, outcomes, and interventions for stress and anxiety among university, college, graduate, or postsecondary populations. A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and ProQuest, following PRISMA guidelines. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and screening was performed to identify the definitive studies. The prevalence of anxiety was relatively high, ranging from 88.9 to 13.63%, and the prevalence of stress ranged from 56 to 28.14%. The predictors of stress and anxiety included young age, gender being female, STEM course, loneliness, low academic level in school, urban lockdown, confinement, having a preexisting disease, having relatives or friends infected with COVID-19, and proximity to a COVID-19 zone. The predictors of stress included gender being female, living with family, living in a household with many people, being confined rather than having the freedom to relocate, proximity to confirmed cases of COVID-19, lack of access to materials on COVID-19, preexisting mental disorders, and lack of knowledge on the preventable nature of COVID-19. The sources of anxiety among the university students identified in the study included academics, postponement of graduation, cancelation or disruption of planned events, inability to achieve goals, and finances. In addition, the students used trauma-focused, forward-focused, task-oriented, emotion-oriented, and avoidance-oriented coping strategies. The included studies showed that stress and anxiety increased during the pandemic and the war, with gender and uncertainty playing a critical role. The studies provide insights into the widespread use of problem-focused and task-focused coping strategies despite their impact on increasing stress and anxiety.

Factors predicting the use of different coping strategies among Korean immigrant women in the United States

Although most Korean immigrant women experience stress during the acculturation process, few studies have explored how this population copes with stressful events when adjusting to a new society. This study aimed to identify the types of coping strategies these women use, as well as the predictive factors for the same. Data were collected from 136 Korean immigrant women residing in Texas, using a self-report questionnaire written in Korean. The results showed that the participants most frequently used task-oriented coping strategies, followed in order by emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented strategies. There were no significant predictive factors for task-oriented or avoidance-oriented coping strategies. However, age, English proficiency, length of residence, immigration stress, alcohol consumption, and at-risk drinking by a male partner significantly predicted the use of emotion-oriented coping strategies among participants. To increase access to professional services for Korean immigrant women in the United States, culturally sensitive social services and bilingual providers would be beneficial. Because emotion-oriented coping methods were the most common in Korean immigrant women, Korean churches could form partnerships and cooperate with social service agencies. Drinking by a male partner is an important issue that significantly affects the coping methods of Korean immigrant communities. Finally, limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Psychological correlates of parental burnout in hearing mothers of deaf children: personality, satisfaction with life, and posttraumatic growth

A child’s disability is a risk factor for its parents experiencing parental burnout (PB). Here we investigate this problem in hearing mothers of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. We look at the psychological dimension of the mothers’ personality in terms of the Big Five model, satisfaction with life (SWL), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). The study takes account of the sociodemographics of the mothers and their children and other factors related to the child’s deafness and their type of hearing assistance. The study was conducted through letters sent to 559 hearing mothers of which 29% responded. Responding mothers completed several questionnaires: the Parental Burnout Measure (PBM-12), International Personality Item Pool–Big Five Markers-20 (IPIP-BFM-20), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and a general questionnaire. A VAS scale was used to assess SWL and satisfaction with the child’s rehabilitation.Results showed that the level of PB the mothers experienced was significantly lower than in mothers of children with non-deafness disabilities. SWL and emotional stability, intellect/imagination, agreeableness, extraversion, and satisfaction with the child’s rehabilitation were inversely correlated with PB, but only SWL and emotional stability were significant PB predictors. PTG in the mothers was at an average level and not correlated with PB. Similarly, the sociodemographic characteristics of mother and child and child’s deafness-related factors were not correlated with PB. Low levels of emotional stability and SWL are associated with vulnerability of the mothers to PB. Our finding of a lack of relationship between PB and PTG suggest that some mothers of deaf children may experience “illusory PTG”, which is related to avoidance-oriented coping strategies including denial coping.

Posttraumatic Growth in Postlingually Deaf Patients With Cochlear Implants: The Effect of Stress-Coping Strategies, Sociodemographics, and Deafness-Related Factors

The aim of this study was to assess whether cochlear implant (CI) users who had been postlingually deaf developed a more positive outlook on life—the so-called posttraumatic growth (PTG)—as a result of their disability and to examine how PTG related to their stress-coping strategies and personal circumstances. The study group consisted of 119 postlingually deaf CI users. The participants were asked to anonymously fill in several questionnaires: the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE), and a form asking for personal details and factors related to their deafness and CI use. The PTG of postlingually deaf CI users was similar to that found in people with other severe health problems. The time that had elapsed since the hearing was lost and the time from receiving a CI were positively correlated with PTG. The level of PTG was correlated with the particular coping strategies used and differed between men and women. We found that the development of PTG could emerge from both approach-oriented coping strategies (e.g., active coping and planning) and avoidance-oriented coping strategies (e.g., denial, self-distraction, and self-blame). Paradoxically, the avoidance strategies could play a positive role in the development of PTG. This reinforces the idea, previously raised in the PTG literature, that such strategies exert a defensive and protective function—an “illusory” side of PTG—which operates together with the positive constructive side, and both help develop the sense of well-being of a person.

Coping Strategies, Immediate and Delayed Suggestibility among Children and Adolescents

Knowing the factors that influence children’s suggestibility is important in implementing the psychological variables to be evaluated during a forensic evaluation. In the interrogative suggestibility model, coping strategies intervene in determining the acceptance or rejection of the leading question. However, studies that investigated the relationship between interrogative suggestibility and coping strategies had mixed results. Avoidance-oriented coping is associated with high level to immediate suggestibility and problem-focused with low levels. In this study, we measured immediate suggestibility, delayed suggestibility, and coping strategies in a sample of 100 children. We hypothesized that avoidance-oriented coping strategies have a predictive effect in increasing immediate suggestibility levels, in particular avoidance-oriented coping oriented towards the tendency to accept leading questions. No effect of coping strategies was expected on delayed suggestibility. All children completed the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale (GSS 2), a non-verbal IQ test, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Coping strategies were not related to delayed suggestibility, but avoidance-oriented coping correlated positively with immediate suggestibility. Avoidance-oriented coping emerged as the only significant predictive model for shift and total suggestibility, and its subscale distraction emerged as a predictor for Yield 1 and Yield 2. No predictors emerged for delayed suggestibility. Results are discussed for their theoretical implications.

A Family Study of Trauma and Coping Strategies in Gambling Disorder.

Family studies can provide a wealth of information regarding risk factors in psychological disorders. No studies have compared the trauma experiences and coping strategies of problem gamblers with those of their first-degree relatives. Therefore, in this study, childhood trauma and coping strategies were investigated among participants with gambling disorder, their first-degree biological relatives, and community controls. Participants completed diagnostic interviews and symptom severity assessments. Participants also completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) which assesses history of abuse and neglect, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) which assesses task, emotion, and avoidance oriented coping strategies. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant effect for group, but not gender, on the CTQ. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant effect for group on coping style. Post-hoc tests showed that probands and relatives were less likely to use task-oriented coping compared to controls, but probands and relatives did not differ from each other on task-oriented coping. Mediation analysis showed that task-oriented coping did not mediate the relation between childhood trauma and gambling severity. By using a family study design, this study was able for the first time to delineate familial and disease-specific effects associated with childhood trauma and coping strategies in gambling disorder.

Approach-oriented coping strategy level may be related to volume of the whole hippocampus in the elderly.

Stress-related disorders and severe stress exposure can cause atrophy of the whole hippocampus and its subfields. However, the impact of stress coping strategies on the hippocampus remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relation between approach- and avoidance-oriented coping strategies and hippocampal volume in elderly persons. A total of 1045 elderly persons living in Arakawa-ward, Tokyo (mean ± SD age: 72.8 ± 5.2 years; 569 females [54.4%]) were included in the study and completed several questionnaires and face-to-face interviews and underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Approach- or avoidance-oriented coping strategies were assessed with the Stress and Coping Inventory, while cognitive function and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. The volume of the whole hippocampus on T1-weighted images was delineated and calculated using FreeSurfer 6.0. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relation between Stress and Coping Inventory scores and whole hippocampal volume. Approach-oriented coping strategy scores were positively correlated with whole hippocampal volume. Furthermore, these relations remained significant after controlling for the influence of cognitive function and depressive symptoms on these volumetric variables. In contrast, avoidance-oriented coping strategy scores were not correlated with whole hippocampal volume. This study demonstrated that hippocampal volume may be associated with the approach-oriented coping strategy; therefore, this strategy may preserve hippocampal volume in the elderly.

First-time fathers' coping strategies at elective cesarean delivery: A quantitative study

BackgroundConsiderable studies have been undertaken to assess fathers' feelings and experiences during labor and delivery of their partner, however, investigation describing first-time fathers' coping strategies at elective cesarean delivery remains under explored. AimTo assess and determine the Coping Strategies of first-time fathers at elective cesarean delivery, by looking at both first-time and second time fathers, separately. Study designA quantitative design was utilized in this investigation. SubjectsA total of 52 fathers, of whom 28 first-time fathers, whose partner had planned elective cesarean section, and 54 fathers, of whom 25 first-time fathers, whose partner had scheduled induction of labor at term. Outcome measuresThe Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS; Endler & Parker, 1990) was the main tool used to explore by Task-, Emotion- and Avoidance-oriented coping subscales, the feelings and experiences of the expectant fathers relative to the labor and delivery of their partners. ResultsFindings indicated that Avoidance-oriented coping values were significantly higher in first-time fathers at elective cesarean section compared to those at in first-time fathers at scheduled induced vaginal delivery (50.93 ± 12.80 vs 40.71 ± 9.38, p < 0.001), presenting with the highest percentile (82° centile). In addition, the Avoidance-oriented coping subscale significantly correlated with the subscales assessing Avoidance through Social interaction (rho = 0.90, p < 0.001) and Avoidance based on distraction (rho = 0.63, p < 0.001). ConclusionFindings revealed that first-time fathers at elective cesarean section presented significantly higher Avoidance-oriented coping strategies, through Social interaction and based on distraction, in comparison to first-time fathers whose partner had scheduled induction of labor at term.

The Relationship Between Care Burden and Coping Strategies in Caregivers of Hemodialysis Patients in Kermanshah, Iran.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between care burden and coping strategies in caregivers of hemodialysis patients.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2018 in Kermanshah, Iran. A total of 130 caregivers of patients admitted to the hemodialysis wards of Imam Reza and Imam Khomeini hospitals of Kermanshah, Iran were selected via convenience sampling. Data-collection tools included a demographic information form, caregiver-burden inventory, and coping inventory for stressful situations. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests.ResultsThe mean age of the caregivers was 35.8±13.7 years, and 71 (54.6%) were patients’ children. The mean caregiver-burden score was 58.5±20.5 out of 96. Mean scores of time-dependent, evolutionary, physical, social, and emotion-dependent care burdens were 17.5±5.3, 12.2±6.3, 9.1±4.7, 8.2±4.0, and 11.4±5.1, respectively. Mean scores of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance-oriented coping strategies were 46.0±80.8, 43.1±9.0, and 48.9±9.5, respectively. Among the strategies, only the avoidance-oriented one had a significant positive relationship with total care burden and all its subscales.ConclusionCaregivers of hemodialysis patients experienced a relatively high care burden. However, they did not use appropriate coping strategies; therefore, they should be trained to select an effective coping strategy.

Self-esteem is related to anxiety in psoriasis patients: A case control study

ObjectiveIn psoriasis, taking steps to improve emotional health is important to bring lasting benefits to patients' physical health and overall well-being. We aimed to identify factors that relate to anxiety in psoriasis and are potentially modifiable and that thus qualify as targets for future planned interventions for improving mental health. In this study, the importance of coping strategies and self-esteem as potential targets were tested. MethodsA total of 102 patients diagnosed with psoriasis, aged 26–65 years (M = 43.39 years, SD = 10.56) and 98 healthy controls (with an overall age, gender, educational attainment distribution similar to that of the cases) completed the Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. ResultsPatients with psoriasis compared to healthy controls reported significantly higher rates of anxiety and emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping strategies, presented lower rates of task-oriented coping strategies, and significantly lower levels of self-esteem. Importantly, our results revealed that self-esteem in psoriasis patients was strongly related to anxiety. Moreover, the increased rates of anxiety in psoriasis were not significantly associated with the coping strategies, suggesting that in patients with psoriasis coping strategies are secondary to other factors such as self-image and self-esteem. ConclusionsThe results identify self-esteem as a target to adopt in further interventions for psoriasis patients. Recommendations for future research and intervention development are discussed.

Stress has a direct and indirect effect on eating pathology in infertile women: avoidant coping style as a mediator.

Patient-perceived stress and avoidance-oriented coping strategies are mental health risk factors well documented within the infertility literature. Relatedly, these factors are associated with maladaptive eating behaviours known to influence reproductive functioning. This study aims to investigate the interconnection between perceived stress, avoidant coping style and eating pathology in infertile women, and to determine whether avoidant coping style mediates the relationship between stress and eating pathology. A multicentre cross-sectional study of 416 women (aged 20–47 years) was completed. Women were assessed on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Brief COPE. Correlational matrices, principal components analysis and structural equation modelling were used to develop a measurement model to test the avoidant coping style mediation hypothesis. Results showed that perceived stress had a direct effect on maladaptive eating behaviours [β = 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.065–0.346; P = 0.005]. Furthermore, a statistically significant indirect effect between perceived stress and maladaptive eating via avoidant coping style was also observed (β = 0.14; 95% CI = 0.017–0.267; P = 0.018), indicating partial mediation. These findings highlight that both perceived stress and avoidant coping style are important psychotherapy targets to consider in infertile women presenting with eating pathology.

How do you fear? Examining expatriates’ perception of danger and its consequences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differing perceptions of fear of expatriates operating in terror-exposed Nairobi and the high-crime environment of Johannesburg and its impact on stress and well-being. It illustrates how expatriates cope with the challenges associated with these two regions. Design/methodology/approach Following an interpretative and inductive research approach, qualitative content analyses were conducted using evidence from in-depth interviews with 12 expatriates in senior management or officer positions within a large global organisation, with respondents based in South Africa and Kenya. Findings Data suggest that expatriates in the more terrorism-exposed context perceive fear less strongly than expatriates in environments categorised by high degrees of conventional crime. Fear seems to relate to physical well-being via restricted freedom of movement, but there is little evidence that fear affects mental well-being. The study finds that respondents in terror-exposed Nairobi tend to engage more in avoidance-oriented coping strategies, whereas their counterparts in the high-crime environment of Johannesburg predominantly rely on problem-focused coping. Practical implications The qualitative design allows practitioners to better understand expatriates’ perceptions of fear, its consequences for stress, and well-being and potential coping strategies expatriates employ. It discusses a set of practical recommendations focussing on the deployment of expatriates assigned to dangerous locations. Originality/value This study develops a distinction between terror and conventional crime and contributes with practical insights for assignments into dangerous work environments. The geographic lens of the study provides an in-depth look at expatriation challenges in an arguably neglected regional context.

Passion, coping, and anxiety in sport: The interplay between key motivational and self-regulatory processes

The present paper examined the interplay between key motivational and selfregulatory processes, namely passion and coping strategies, and their relation with anxiety in the sport domain. Two studies with a combined 348 athletes were conducted in order to test a model whereby two types of passion were differentially related to anxiety through the use of different coping strategies. Overall, results supported our hypotheses by demonstrating that harmonious passion was associated to approach-oriented coping strategies which, in turn, were related to less anxiety. In contrast, obsessive passion was positively related to avoidance-oriented coping strategies which, in turn, were associated with more anxiety. This paper identifies coping strategies as a mediator in the relation between passion and anxiety, thus providing further support for the study of the relation between motivational and self-regulatory processes in order to better understand athletes’ psychological adjustment in sport.

Psychometric properties of a Polish version of the Inventory of Cognitive Affect Regulation Strategies (ICARUS).

The aim of the present study was to develop a Polish version of the Inventory of Cognitive Affect Regulation Strategies (ICARUS) and to examine its psychometric properties in a sample of trauma-exposed individuals. The fidelity of instrument translation was assessed in bilingual retests with 103 undergraduate students of English philology. Psychometric properties were examined in a sample of 1,129 trauma-exposed participants. The Polish version of ICARUS exhibited (a) substantial congruence between item and scale scores with the English version of ICARUS; (b) acceptable internal consistency, ranging from α = .53 for mindful observation and acceptance of emotion to α = .93 for religious thoughts; (c) a 2-factor structure of ICARUS scales identifying active and avoidance-oriented coping strategies; and (d) significant associations with other instruments assessing coping, affect regulation strategies, mood dimensions, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record

Trait procrastination, self-efficacy and achievement goals: the mediation role of boredom coping strategies

Limited research has examined the mediational role of coping strategy in students’ motivation and procrastination. In this study, we examined the relationships among self-efficacy, achievement goals, boredom coping strategies and procrastination with 506 Chinese college students. Data were collected via questionnaires. Structural equation modelling results showed that both self-efficacy and approach goals significantly predicted approach-oriented coping strategies, and avoidance goals significantly predicted avoidance-oriented coping strategies. Among the different types of boredom coping strategies, only behavioural avoidance coping strategy significantly predicted procrastination. Hence, the mediating link was only found between avoidance goals, behavioural avoidance coping strategy and procrastination. Implications of the mediating role of behavioural avoidance coping strategy in the goal-procrastination relationship were further discussed.

Coping strategies and psychological distress in caregivers of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes distress in caregivers. The present study aims to examine the association between coping strategies and psychological distress in caregivers of ALS patients. Methods: Coping strategies were assessed in 96 ALS informal caregivers by means of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations. Data about caregivers’ demographic characteristics, levels of burden, depression and anxiety (psychological distress) were also gathered by standardised questionnaires. Patients’ clinical, cognitive and behavioural disturbances were evaluated by ALS specific assessment tools. Results: Sequential logistic regression analysis showed that emotion-oriented coping strategy was significantly associated with high levels of depressive (p < 0.01) and anxiety (p < 0.05) symptoms and high levels of burden (p < 0.05), after controlling for all other variables. Moreover, a significant relationship of patients’ functional dependence levels with burden experienced by caregivers was observed. No relationships were detected between task-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies and caregivers’ levels of psychological distress. Conclusions: The present study supported the mediating effects of coping strategies on intensity of burden, depression and anxiety experienced by ALS caregivers. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing utilisation of maladaptive coping strategies may improve well-being in ALS caregivers, and, possibly, management of symptoms in ALS patients.

Structural Relations of Parenting, Novelty, Behaviorial Problems, Coping Strategies, and Addiction Potential

Background: A fundamental question in addiction tendency is which factors propel people toward substance use. Various studies found that unsafe fields of interest are a criterion for the adoption of substance use and addicts are people with unsafe development in various areas that propel them toward substance use. Objectives: The aim of this study was to model, assay, and plan a model to reveal the structural relations between psychological factors, including parenting, novelty seeking, problem behavior, and coping strategies, for addiction potential. Patients and Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the relationship between parenting styles and addiction potential with mediator variables, namely novelty, coping strategies, and behavioral problems, among 572 high school students (328 male, 244 female), randomly selected in Mashhad, Iran. Data were collected using the parenting style questionnaire, temperament, and character inventory, the Achenbach youth self-report scale, the coping inventory for stressful situations, and the Iranian addiction potential scale (IAPS). AMOS-16 software was applied for evaluating the proposed model. The final model, achieved after deleting non-significant paths and the co-varying of some errors, has favorable fitness indexes (CFI = .90, RMSEA = .07). Results: The study found significant relationships between parenting styles and addiction potential with mediator variables, although the most of the purposed paths between permissive parenting style and other variables were not significant. Conclusions: According to standard coefficients, emotion-oriented, problem-oriented, and avoidance-oriented coping strategies, as well as behavior problems, respectively, have the largest effect on addiction potential.