Multilevel Approach to Stressors, Coping, and Psychopathological Symptoms

A 4-yr. longitudinal study was conducted of the relationship between stressors, coping strategies, and psychopathological symptoms in a group of 447 adolescents. The Coping Responses Inventory–Youth Form and the Youth Self-Report were used to evaluate coping strategies and psychopathological symptoms, respectively. Stressors were identified on the basis of written reports produced by the adolescents and coded using the System of Coding Problems of Adolescents. A multilevel approach showed that scores for externalizing symptoms increased significantly with age. General distress and internalization also tended to increase with age, although without reaching statistical significance. Approach and avoidance coping strategies remain stable across the ages studied. Avoidant coping increases psychopathological symptoms, whereas the influence of approach coping depends on the type of stressor (personal, interpersonal, or nonpersonal).