The Differentiation of Coping Traits in Adolescence

The present study investigates the process of coping with daily problems during adolescence. Coping is conceptualised as a trait-like construct and, as such, is seen as being stable over time. This assumption is tested by constructing coping factors for two different age groups of adolescents (11- to 16 year-olds vs. 17- to 19-year-olds). According to the results, the younger subjects use approach and avoidance coping factors. However, for the older adolescents, the approach dimension is differentiated into behavioural and cognitive components, whereas the avoidance dimension remains the same. The results also indicate that the girls in both age groups have significantly higher values in approach-oriented coping than boys.