Cross-Situational Coping with Peer and Family Stressors in Adolescent Offspring of Depressed Parents

• NCJ Number: 221221
• Journal: Journal of Adolescence Volume: 30 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 917-932
• Author(s): Sarah S. Jaser; Jennifer E. Champion; Kristen L. Reeslund; Gary Keller; Mary Jane Merchant; Molly Benson; Bruce E. Compas
• Date Published: December 2007
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study examined the coping responses of adolescent children of parents with a history of depression during situations of peer and family stress related to living with a depressed parent.

Abstract

Children of depressed parents were at high risk for behavioral and emotional problems. Offspring of depressed parents are faced with significant interpersonal stress both within their families and in peer relationships. Correlation analyses indicated that adolescents were moderately consistent in the coping strategies used with peer stress and family stress. The pattern of coping was similar across stressors in that adolescents used secondary control coping most often in response to both peer stress and family stress. However, using different styles of coping to deal with the different stressors was related to better adjustment. When dealing with peer stress, greater use of primary control coping and secondary control coping were related to fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescents. When dealing with family stress, only greater use of secondary control coping was associated with fewer symptoms in adolescents. Adolescents reported greater use of secondary control coping (acceptance, distraction) than primary control coping (problem solving, emotional expression) or disengagement coping (avoidance) with both types of stress. Regression analyses indicated that fewer symptoms of self-reported anxiety/depression and aggression were related to using secondary control coping strategies in response to family stress and primary control coping in response to peer stress. Implications for understanding the characteristics of effective coping with stress related to living with a depressed parent are highlighted. Findings indicated that adolescents were moderately consistent in the coping strategies used with peer stress and family stress related to living with a depressed parent. The sample, consisting of 73 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 16, and their parents who met criteria for a history of depression, were administered a questionnaire. Tables, references