Adolescents' Personalities and Coping Habits Affect Social Behaviors

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120801154845.htm

This article describes a study completed by researchers in the human development department at the University of Missouri about the different ways adolescents deal with stress and learn what are effective coping strategies. It describes that there are really two types of coping strategies: problem-focused and emotion-focused. Problem-focused coping strategies are those that aim to nullify the cause or source of stress. These are mainly used by adolescents who are empathetic, fairly skilled at regulating their emotions, and are more prone to be considerate of others before themselves. Emotion-focused coping strategies are those that target the emotions that are felt as a result of stress. These can look like venting, deep breathing, and avoidance. These strategies are generally utilized by impulsive adolescents who are more likely to think of themselves before others, are emotionally unstable, and are more prone to exhibit aggressive characteristics.

From that summary, it is easy to conclude the following: problem-focused coping strategies are good, and emotion-focused coping strategies are bad. However, this is over-simplifying the issue. Even well-adjusted, emotionally stable children experience stressors that they are unable to control or anticipate. They cannot utilize problem-focused coping mechanisms to make things better. An example of a situation where problem-focused coping strategies would not be appropriate is in the case of parents' divorce. This situation is sure to bring about change which will then create anxiety, anger, fear, and other emotions that the adolescent is not able to handle by taking away the problem. In this case, emotion-focused coping strategies would be appropriate. On the other side of the coin, emotion-focused coping strategies would not be entirely appropriate in the case of academic stress. Problem-focused coping strategies would be more appropriate and could look like studying in advance and/or managing time in such a way to avoid the stress of leaving work all to the last minute.

The researchers used this study to show that teaching a variety of coping strategies under both realms--problem-focused and emotion-focused--will allow adolescents to make an educated decision about which strategies are appropriate for different situations. I hope this article is taken seriously and is somehow worked into education and counseling models. Coping strategies are learned after a person has experienced something that caused stress. This is unfortunate as we all grow up with many people around us who have had these experiences and have developed some way to deal with them. This information, though it seems like it would be obvious, could help families who are going through difficult situations AND those who would like to help their children become more able to regulate their emotions and manage stress effectively.