Stressors and Coping in Adolescents Exposed to Hurricane Hugo

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical work on adolescent stress and coping indicates that adolescence is an inherently stressful developmental stage and that adolescents who use active, problem-solving, cognitive coping strategies appear healthier than those who do not. Moreover, coping style, more man the nature of stressors, determines adolescent health. Offer et al. (1981) described healthy adolescents as good copers who are reasonably self-satisfied and comfortable in relationships with parents, peers, and others. Although Lazarus provided the theoretical model for much stress and coping research, few researchers have examined adolescents' self-reported stressors or coping strategies. Coping in all of its forms (i.e., problem-solving coping, emotion-focused coping, and defense mechanisms) is one type of mediator of catastrophic or disaster stressors (Solomon, 1989; Weinrich, Hardin, & Johnson, 1990). No one has yet described healthy coping among adolescents who have faced a catastrophe such as a natural disaster.