Coping with Interpersonal Stress and Psychosocial Health Among Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

DOI: 10.1007/s10964-005-9001-xJournal of Youth and Adolescence, Vol. 35, No. 1, February 2006, pp. 1124 ( C 2006)Coping with Interpersonal Stress and Psychosocial Health

Among Children and Adolescents: A Meta-AnalysisAngela T. Clarke1Received March 1, 2005; accepted April 29, 2005Published online: 18 March 2006This meta-analysis examines the relationship between active coping and psychosocial health among

youth. Results from 40 studies of coping with interpersonal stress were synthesized using a randomeffects model. Four areas of psychosocial functioning were examined: externalizing and internalizing

behavior problems, social competence, and academic performance. The magnitude of the relationship

between active coping and psychosocial functioning was small, with correlations ranging from0.02 for internalizing behavior to 0.12 for academic performance. Mean effects were moderated by

stressor controllability: youth who used active coping in response to controllable stressors had fewer

externalizing problems and higher social competence, as compared to those who used active coping

in response to uncontrollable stressors. Implications for primary prevention programs and directions

for future research on child and adolescent coping are discussed.KEY WORDS: meta-analysis; coping; control; interpersonal stress; psychosocial health.INTRODUCTIONThe ability to cope adaptively with lifes stressors

is an important developmental asset and a key component of health promotion and primary prevention programming (Masten, 2001; Weissberg et al., 1991). Child

and adolescent coping skills programs (e.g., Caplan et al.,

1992; Elias et al., 1986) aimed at promoting adaptive

coping typically emphasize active coping strategies such

as problem-solving, assertive communication, and seeking social support. Active coping efforts are intended to

achieve some degree of personal control over the stressful

aspects of the environment and ones emotions and are

distinguished from efforts to adapt to or avoid stressful situations (Compas et al., 2001, p. 120). This study focuses

on active coping efforts exclusively. Although there is ample evidence that active coping is linked to healthy adjustment (Compas et al., 2001; Fields and Prinz, 1997; Grych1Clinical Psychologist at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. This

study is based on a doctoral dissertation completed by the author, who

received her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Primary research interest is behavioral health promotion for underserved, urban youth. To whom correspondence should be addressed at

the Department of Psychology, The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia,

34th & Civic Center Boulevard, 3535, Market/Suite 1459, Philadelphia,