Exploring reciprocal links between early adolescent coping and internalizing symptoms

作者：Caitlyn Mytelka, Sarah C. Narendorf, Elizabeth Baumler, Chiara Acquati, Jeff R. Temple · 发表于：Journal of Adolescence · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1002/jad.12429 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development、Early Childhood Education and Development、Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression

INTRODUCTION: The rising prevalence of depression and anxiety among adolescents is a public health concern. Early adolescence is a key developmental period to reduce risks for internalizing symptoms through primary prevention programs, yet additional research is needed on modifiable factors, such as coping skills, to target to mitigate risk factors. Therefore, we investigated the reciprocal link between coping style and internalizing symptoms among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of early adolescents (n = 1273) from 12 middle schools over 1 year. METHODS: We leveraged a longitudinal data set of a cluster, randomized trial of a preventive intervention from 12 middle schools in a large public-school district in the United States to test our hypotheses using multilevel modeling. The sample was 49% female and racially/ethnically diverse (39% Hispanic/Latinx, 23% Black/African American, 12% Asian or Pacific Islander, 11% other, 9% White, and 5% multiracial). Participants (ages 12-14) completed a baseline questionnaire in 7th grade (Spring 2018) and a 1-year follow-up questionnaire in 8th grade (Spring 2019). RESULTS: Depressive and anxious symptoms affected levels of active and avoidant coping skill use over the 1-year period of the study, indicating that symptoms can be an impetus for maladaptive coping. We also identified bidirectional links between active coping and depression in addition to avoidant coping and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings have implications for augme...