Adaptação da escala de estratégias de coping na adolescência numa amostra Portuguesa

Adolescence is a developmental period marked by challenges. In order to better understand the strategies that adolescents use to cope with stress, it is intended with this study to present the psychometric properties of the Adolescent Coping Strategies Scale (Fanshawe & Burnett, 1997), tested with a sample of Portuguese adolescents, exploring differences by gender and age. The results allowed to find a valid and generally adequate internal consistency factor structure. The data allow to discern differences in coping strategies, with the girls to seek more support from others and personal improvement, while boys more often use of drugs or humor. We found a positive relationship between age and substance use and decreased demand for support from family and professionals. The data are discussed according to literature and implications for practice are presented.