Advanced strategies for cognitive and emotional coping among high school students

Abstract

Adolescence represents a pivotal stage in human development marked by numerous challenges and stressors. This research delves into the cognitive-emotional coping strategies deployed by adolescent girls and boys, with a particular focus on gender disparities. Our study aligns with prior research, affirming substantial gender-based distinctions in coping strategies. Adolescent girls predominantly employ maladaptive strategies, notably catastrophizing and rumination, underscoring a proclivity for negative thought patterns amidst stressors. Conversely, boys demonstrate a more equitable distribution of coping mechanisms, encompassing both maladaptive and adaptive strategies, implying heightened coping versatility. Engaging in a scholarly debate, we discuss the implications of this gender divergence in coping strategies. While diverse coping repertoires, as seen in boys, may contribute to resilience, the noteworthy prevalence of maladaptive strategies among adolescents, regardless of gender, raises concerns regarding emotional well-being. This study not only advances our comprehension of adolescent coping but also holds implications for mental health interventions.

Keywords

• adolescence
• cognitive-emotional coping
• coping strategies
• gender differences
• maladaptive coping