engleski

Gender differences in coping with school failure: A longitudinal perspective

Coping is not only a response to stressors, but also a positive behavioral style of adjusting, adapting, and accommodating to a changing environment in adolescent's life. Empirical studies suggest that problem-oriented coping has positive impact on psychological well-being while reliance on avoidant forms of coping exacerbates adjustment difficulties over time. Objective: The study compared adolescents' approach and avoidance oriented coping with academic stress to determine what changes were apparent in their coping responses after three-year period. It was expected that prospective differences in coping styles would be related to gender and initial health status. Method: 94 students (43 girls and 51 boys) completed questionnaire at 5th grade that assessed coping with school failure. At 3-year follow-up study students completed the same questionnaire again. Information about health problems was based on adolescents' reporting of often experienced health symptoms (headache, abdominal pain, cough /throat pain, etc.), causing their absence from school. Results: Overall changes in coping styles were significant – the use of both approach and avoidant coping decreased over time, although the intensity of perceived stress did not change. While boys used approach coping less frequently in the 8th grade, girls did not change the use of this coping style. Avoidant coping decreased for boys and for adolescents with health problems. Conclusion: Results suggest that boys and girls develop differently in their patterns of coping over time. Programs aimed to provide skills and competencies that would enhance approach oriented coping might be helpful for adolescents at younger age.

coping strategies; school failure; gender; longitudinal

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