Adolescent Humor and its Relationship to Coping,Defense Strategies,Psychological Distress,and Well-Being

Objective This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) in measuring adolescent humor, including the relationship between humor and coping style, defense style, depressive symptoms, and adjustment in a non-clinical sample of adolescents. Method Humor, coping, defense strategies, depressive symptoms, and adjustment were investigated in 94 adolescents aged 12–15. Results The HSQ demonstrated adequate internal consistency. Inter-scale correlational patterns and scale means were similar for adolescents and adults. Convergent validity for the HSQ was supported by its relationship to: an adolescent-standardized humor defense scale; coping and defense strategies; and depressive symptoms and adjustment. Clinical utility of the HSQ was demonstrated by its unique contribution in predicting both depressive symptoms and adjustment above and beyond contributions from coping and defense composites. Discussion The HSQ appears to be a psychometrically sound and clinically useful measure to assess humor dimensions in adolescents.     

Cognitive coping in anxiety-disordered adolescents

The present study investigated differences in cognitive coping strategies between anxiety-disordered and non-anxious adolescents. In addition, the interaction effect with gender as well as differences between specific anxiety diagnoses was examined. A clinical sample of 159 anxiety-disordered adolescents and a general community sample of 370 non-anxious adolescents were recruited. Nine cognitive coping strategies were assessed in all adolescents (aged 12-16 years). Results showed that anxiety-disordered adolescents had significantly higher scores on most of the cognitive coping strategies than non-anxious adolescents. The cognitive coping strategies rumination, self-blame and catastrophizing accounted for most of the variance. Gender did not modify the results. Further analyses within the anxiety-disordered sample indicated that adolescents with a generalized anxiety disorder scored significantly higher on rumination, but not on other cognitive coping strategies, than social phobic adolescents. The results suggest that cognitive coping is a valuable target for psychological assessment and treatment in adolescents.     

Developmental Aspects of Psychological Defenses: Their Relation to Self-Complexity, Self-Perception, and Symptomatology in Adolescents

This study investigated developmental aspects of psychological defenses in relation to self-complexity, self-perception, and symptomatology through a comparison of two groups of adolescents characterized by defense maturity level (i.e., immature versus mature defenses). The Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-78), the Self-Complexity Inventory (SCI), the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, and the Youth Self Report behavior checklist (YSR) were completed by 79 high school students ranging in age from 15 to 18 years. Subjects were characterized as either employing predominantly mature or immature defensive strategies based on median splits of the two defense factors. Dependent variables included the Self-Complexity Inventory, The Youth Self Report and the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. The mature defense group (N = 26) reported significantly higher self-complexity than the immature defense group (N = 26), supporting a developmental approach to defense mechanisms. In general, mature defense mechanisms seem to be more adaptive in late adolescence than immature defenses as indicated by higher global self-worth and fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The findings lend support to the developmental approach to the self and highlight the importance of examining psychological indices of development independent of chronological age.     

Cognitive coping strategies and symptoms of depression and anxiety: a comparison between adolescents and adults

The present study focused on comparability of adolescents and adults in the reporting of cognitive coping strategies and their relationship to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Two samples were included: 487 adolescents attending a secondary school and 630 adults from a general practitioners practice. Data were obtained on symptoms of depression and anxiety and the use of nine cognitive coping strategies: acceptance, catastrophizing, other-blame, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, refocus on planning, positive refocusing, rumination and self-blame.The results showed that all cognitive coping strategies were reported by adolescents to a significantly lesser extent than by adults. Further, it was shown that both in adolescents and adults a considerable percentage of the variance in symptomatology was explained by the use of cognitive coping strategies. Although adolescents and adults differed in relative strength of the relationships, generally speaking, conclusions were the same: in both groups, the cognitive coping strategies self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing and positive reappraisal were shown to play the most important role in the reporting of symptoms of psychopathology, showing the importance of introducing prevention and intervention programmes at an early stage.     

Coping with stress by children and adolescents with cancer

Children and adolescents with cancer not only have to cope with everyday stressors and developmental tasks, as do their healthy peers, but also with illness-related stressors. Thus, it can be assumed, that children and adolescents with cancer differ from healthy peers in coping. Stress reactions and adjustment have been investigated in recent studies. In contrast, coping styles have not often been in the focus of research. In this study, the coping of children and adolescents with cancer (n = 60, 8-13 years of age) was compared to the norm, measured by the German Coping Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (SVF-KJ; Hampel et al. 2001). The results indicated that the subjects with cancer used more positive and less negative coping strategies when confronted with school-related or social stressors. The results are discussed with respect to the experience with disease-related stress and the possibility of repressive coping.     

A 1-year follow-up study of coping in patients with panic disorder

We conducted a longitudinal study of methods used by patients with panic disorder to cope with stress, in order to investigate the characteristics of coping among these patients and to determine whether coping changes as therapy progresses and whether coping affects outcome. The Lazarus Type Stress Coping Inventory was performed on 43 patients with panic disorder and 315 normal subjects. The Stress Coping Inventory was repeated after 1 year therapy in the patients with panic disorder. Compared with normal subjects, panic disorder patients obtained significantly higher scores for emotional coping strategies (P =.04), and for seeking social support (P =.02) and escape-avoidance (i.e., wishful thinking) (P =.0008) as coping styles. On repeat assessment, these patients obtained significantly higher scores for cognitive coping strategies (P =.002), emotional coping strategies (P <.0001), planful problem solving (P =.02), confrontive coping (P =.002), seeking social support (P =.02), escape-avoidance (P <.0001), distancing (P =.002), and positive reappraisal (P =.001) than the normal subjects. A group x time interaction was significant for a self-controlling coping style (P =.01). On repeat assessment, the patients with a good outcome (Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF] score > 60) obtained a significantly higher score for self-controlling coping style, and the intractable patients (GAF score < or = 60) obtained a significantly lower score than on initial assessment. The results suggest that coping styles such as emotional coping strategies, seeking social support, and escape-avoidance are trait-dependent characteristics of patients with panic disorder. As therapy progressed, state-dependent changes, such as an increase in adaptive coping, were seen as well, and changes in coping also differed significantly based on outcome. These findings suggest that changing coping strategies in patients with panic disorder could be used as a goal of therapy.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder reactions among children with learning disabilities exposed to terror attacks

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reactions were examined among adolescents exposed to terror attacks. In the first stage, 56 children with learning disabilities (LDs) were compared with 48 nonclinical controls aged 14 to 18 years. Posttraumatic stress disorder in children with LD was significantly higher than in the control group. Next, hierarchic regression predicting PTSD reactions among children with LD was performed. Results revealed that personal exposure to terror, past personal threatening life events, avoidant and anxious attachment, and the anxious attachment x threatening past events interaction contributed significantly to the explained variance of PTSD. Examination of the source of this interaction revealed that adolescents high in anxious attachment who underwent more threatening past life events were more prone to PTSD when exposed personally to terror attacks. The findings suggest that adolescents with LD have difficulties in cognitive processing of traumatic events. This group of adolescents is in double jeopardy for developing PTSD symptoms if they personally experienced threatening events in the past and are characterized by anxious attachment. The anxious attachment damages their self-regulation, intensifies their distress, and exacerbates the risk for PTSD. Hence, special attention and specific intervention are needed for youth with LD to enhance their coping strategies.     

The relationship of gender,gender identity,and coping strategies in late adolescents

The relationships among gender, gender identity, and coping in late adolescents were examined. One hundred sixty-nine late adolescents completed measures assessing their masculinity and femininity, as well as their use of coping strategies. Females endorsed greater use of emotion-focused coping strategies than males. Late adolescents who were high in masculinity endorsed higher levels of problem-focused coping strategies than those who were low in masculinity. In contrast, late adolescents who were high in femininity endorsed higher levels of emotion-focused coping strategies than those who were low in femininity. Neither the gender nor the masculinity and femininity of late adolescents were predictive of the use of avoidant coping strategies. Overall, gender identity made an important and independent contribution to the endorsement of coping strategy use. These results emphasize the importance of assessing both gender and gender identity with regard to coping in late adolescents.     

Role of coping strategies and attitudes in mediating distress due to hallucinations in schizophrenia

The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of coping strategies and attitudes in predicting distress due to hallucinations in schizophrenia. Seventy-five chronic stable schizophrenia patients were assessed with respect to sociodemographic profile, clinical variables, general psychopathology, phenomenology (severity) of hallucinations, attitude towards hallucinations, distress due to hallucinations (determined by two measures) and coping strategies used to deal with hallucinations. On multiple stepwise regression analysis, 'severity of hallucinations' and 'problem-solving coping strategies' contributed significantly to both measures of distress. It can be concluded that distress due to hallucinations in schizophrenia is determined by severity of hallucinations (stressor) and problem-solving coping strategies. Attitudes do not seem to play any role in this respect.     

Coping strategies and behavioral/emotional problems among Chinese adolescents

This study was carried out to describe strategies used to cope with stress and to explore the association between coping strategies and behavioral/emotional problems in a community sample of adolescents from Mainland China. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Chinese Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Youth Self-Report of Child Behavior Checklist, and a number of demographic questions. Results indicated that Chinese adolescents often used multiple coping strategies when faced with stress. Principal factor analysis followed by oblique rotation revealed two dimensions of coping strategies in Chinese adolescents: active coping and avoidant coping. A series of logistic regression analyses showed that avoidant coping was significantly associated with increased risk for internalizing and externalizing problems, but active coping was associated with reduced risk, after adjustment for child's age and sex and father's occupation. These findings provide evidence of the association between coping and mental health problems in Chinese adolescents.     

Pakistani adolescents' coping with stress: effect of loss of a parent and gender of adolescents

The present study examined the effect of parental loss and gender of adolescents on their coping with stress. Sample included those adolescents who had either of their parents died (N = 40) and those having both living parents (N = 40). It was hypothesized that adolescents with one parent alive would differ in their ways of coping with stress compared to those who have both living parents. It was also hypothesized that there would be gender differences in adolescents' coping. Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ, Kausar, 1996) was used to assess adolescents' coping. Data was analysed using t-test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Analyses showed that avoidance-focused coping was the most frequently used and active distractive coping was the least frequently used strategy by the adolescents. Adolescents with both living parents employed more active distractive and religious-focused coping compared to those with one parent alive. Girls employed significantly more strategies to cope with stress compared to boys. Results also revealed interactive effect of parental loss and gender on coping strategies used by adolescents. The findings suggest that death of either of the parents and gender of the adolescent is important determinants of the ways adolescents deal with stress.     

Brief report: self-harm is associated with immature defense mechanisms but not substance use in a nonclinical Scottish adolescent sample

It has been unclear whether adolescent deliberate self-harm (DSH) is more associated with substance use or with characterological impairments. Multivariate determination of (N = 114 Scottish adolescents) ever engaging in DSH (Youth Risk Behavior Survey) from alcohol use, other substance use, and immature defense mechanism use (Defense Style Questionnaire; DSQ-40) revealed that a history of DSH was associated with more use of immature defense mechanisms by not with substance use or recent alcohol use. More research and clinical attention might be given to immature defense mechanisms in cases of DSH.     

The potential of forgiveness as a response for coping with negative peer experiences

Coping strategies employed by adolescents in response to negative peer experiences are related to their adjustment. This study examines the potential of forgiveness as a coping response for negative peer experiences in early adolescence. Participants were 616 6th through 8th grade students at a middle school (46% girls) who completed self-report measures of bullying and victimization experiences, general coping strategies in response to bullying, social anxiety, self-esteem, and a measure of forgiveness to a self-identified experience of being bullied or hurt by a peer. Forgiveness was positively associated with conflict resolution, advice and support seeking strategies, and negatively associated with revenge seeking. Forgiveness was also positively associated with concurrent self-esteem and negatively associated with social anxiety. Further, forgiveness was related to social anxiety and self-esteem after accounting for bullying behavior and victimization experiences, general coping responses, and gender. Developmental considerations of forgiveness and implications for this response are considered.     

精神分裂症患者应对方式、父母教养方式及防御方式的性别差异

目的:探讨精神分裂症患者应对方式、父母教养方式及防御方式的性别差异。方法:采用应付方式问卷(CSQ)、父母教养方式问卷(EBMU)及防御方式问卷(DSQ)对96例男性与75例女性精神分裂症患者进行评估。结果:应付方式:男性患者使用幻想少于女性(F=2.77,P0.05),使用自责、退避多于女性(F=3.76,F=2.76;P均0.05)。父母教养方式:父亲对儿子采取拒绝否认大于女儿(F=4.82,P0.01);母亲对儿子采取拒绝否认小于女儿(F=2.87,P0.05)。防御方式:男性患者采用退缩、反作用形成、消耗倾向多于女性,采用幻想、躯体化、期望少于女性(P均0.05)。结论:不同性别精神分裂症患者的应对方式、父母教养方式及防御方式不同,心理干预应有性别针对性。     

Specific coping behaviors in relation to adolescent depression and suicidal ideation

The coping strategies used by adolescents to deal with stress may have implications for the development of depression and suicidal ideation. This study examined coping categories and specific coping behaviors used by adolescents to assess the relation of coping to depression and suicidal ideation. In hierarchical regression models, the specific coping behaviors of behavioral disengagement and self-blame were predictive of higher levels of depression; depression and using emotional support were predictive of suicidal ideation. Results suggest that specific behaviors within the broad coping categories of emotion-focused coping (e.g., self-blame) and avoidant coping (e.g., behavioral disengagement) account for these categories’ associations with depression and suicidal ideation. Specific problem-focused coping strategies did not independently predict lower levels of depression or suicidal ideation. It may be beneficial for interventions to focus on eliminating maladaptive coping behaviors in addition to introducing or enhancing positive coping behaviors.     

Developing coping typologies of minority adolescents: a latent profile analysis

Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to develop a coping typology of minority adolescents (M=15.5 years). A multiethnic sample (n=354) was recruited from a program aimed at serving low-income students. LPA revealed three distinct coping profiles. The first comprised adolescents who used a number of specific coping strategies at a low level (low generic copers). The second comprised adolescents who emphasized active/approach strategies (e.g., planning; active copers). The third comprised adolescents who emphasized avoidant/passive strategies (e.g., substance abuse; avoidant copers). Active copers experienced significantly less depression and more stress-related growth than low generic copers. Low generic copers not only experienced significantly less depression than avoidant copers but also significantly less stress-related growth than active copers. Discussion focuses on integrating the current typology with traditional coping taxonomies.     

Assessing Defense Structure in School-Age Children Using the Response Evaluation Measure-71-Youth Version (REM-Y-71)

This study used the Response Evaluation Measure-Youth (REM-Y-71), a self-report measure of 21 defense reactions, among school-age children. Participants were elementary and middle school students (n=290; grades 3–8; age range: 8–15; mean=11.73). Factor analysis revealed a 2-factor defense structure consistent with structure among high school and adult samples. The composite REM-Y defense scores for each factor were significant predictors of social desirability, using the Children’s Defensiveness Scale (CDS); anxiety, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC); and psychosocial functioning. This study represents the first cross-sectional empirical analysis of overall defense structure and use among children and early adolescents.     

Quality of life of adolescents with asthma: the role of personality, coping strategies, and symptom reporting

Objective

The aim of this study was to test which personality traits were related to quality of life (QOL) of adolescents with asthma, and whether relations between personality and QOL were mediated by coping strategies and symptom reporting.

Methods

A sample of 405 12 to 16-year-olds with asthma completed questionnaires on personality, coping, symptom reporting, and QOL (overall QOL and positive effects QOL). The direct relations between personality traits and QOL, as well as mediation pathways were tested with structural equation modeling.

Results

Adolescents high on extraversion and low on neuroticism had better overall QOL, while adolescents high on agreeableness had better positive-effects QOL. The coping strategy restricted lifestyle fully mediated the relation between extraversion and overall QOL, the relation between neuroticism and overall QOL was fully mediated by symptom reporting and the coping strategy worrying about asthma. The coping strategies positive reappraisal and hiding asthma fully mediated the relation between agreeableness and positive-effects QOL.

Conclusion

The results show that personality is related to QOL in adolescents with asthma. These relations were fully mediated by coping and symptom reporting. This study sheds light on the underlying mechanism why personality is associated with QOL. The results of this study will help to understand what determines QOL in patients with chronic illness in general and adolescents with asthma specifically. Furthermore, the results will help to design interventions that could facilitate minimizing the negative effects of having asthma on the QOL of these adolescents.     

Defense styles, personality traits, and psychopathological symptoms in nonclinical adolescents

The purpose of the present study was to examine relationships between defense styles, personality traits, and psychopathological symptoms in nonclinical youths. A large sample of adolescents (n = 437) completed the Defense Style Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Junior version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and a scale measuring symptoms of DSM-defined disorders. Results showed that there were clear relationships between personality traits (neuroticism and psychoticism) and defense styles (neurotic and immature defense) on the one hand and psychopathological symptoms on the other hand. Most importantly, regression analyses indicated that personality traits and defense styles both accounted for unique proportions of the variance in psychopathological symptoms.