Estratégias de coping em adolescentes

Objective: Relate teenagers' Coping Strategies with character variables (gender, age, school retention), with its family configuration and with its family working conditions. Methods: We carried out a correlational and transversal study with a quantitative paradigm, with a sample of 291 teenagers of two school groups from North of Portugal. In this data gathering we used the Tolousiane Scale of Coping, with consideration to the ethical aspects that are inherent to the investigation within vulnerable groups. Results: The Coping Strategies most evidenced by adolescents are the "Control" ones and the least used are the "Denial" ones. These strategies have significant differences when related with the variables: gender, that is favourable to boys (t=4.571; gl=289;p<.001); and school retention for teenagers with at least one retention experience (t=2.142; gl=280; p=.033). On its turn, age group, family configuration and working situation of parents/carers seem not to have a significant influence in Coping Strategies used by teenagers. However, the girls present significant statistic results in the use of “Restraint, Conversion and Addiction” face to the mother/carer unemployment situation (t=-2.291; gl=159; p=.023). Conclusion: The Tolousaine Scale of Coping makes it possible to identify the strategies used by teenagers in the answer to adversities, allowing health and education professionals to adequate their interventions to promote more adaptive strategies.