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Journal of Child and Family Studies, Vol. 14, No. 2, June 2005 ( 2005), pp. 283298 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-005-5056-2
Martha E. Wadsworth, Ph.D.,1,5 Tali Raviv, M.A.,2Bruce E. Compas, Ph.D.,3 and Jennifer K. Connor-Smith, Ph.D.4
We tested several models of the associations among economic strain, life stress, coping, involuntary stress responses, and psychological symptoms in a sample of 57 parent-adolescent dyads from rural, lower-income families. Economic strain and life stress predicted symptoms for both parents and adolescents. Stressor-symptom specicity was found for parents, such that economic strain uniquely predicted depression, whereas negative life events predicted hostility. Involuntary stress responses were associated with higher levels of symptoms for both parents and the adolescent children. Secondary control coping was associated with fewer symptoms for both parents and adolescents. Results support a mediational role of coping and responses to stress during adolescence, with a shift to moderational status in adulthood. Implications of these results are discussed with regard to developmental coping theory and potential interventions with at-risk families.
KEY WORDS: adolescents; coping; parents; poverty; stress.
Living with chronic nancial difculties is highly stressful for children and adults, but poverty is not just another general stressor (Ennis, Hobfoll, & Schrder, 2000). In addition to serving as a constant source of frustration and demoralization, chronic stress appears to take an undue toll on individuals by making them vulnerable to additional stressors and by creating circumstances in which additional
1Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO.
2Doctoral Candidate, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO.
3Professor, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
4Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
5Correspondence should be directed to Martha E. Wadsworth, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2155 S. Race St., Denver, CO 80208; e-mail: [email protected].
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1062-1024/05/0600-0283/0 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.
Parent and Adolescent Responses to Poverty-Related Stress: Tests of Mediated and Moderated Coping Models
284 Wadsworth, Raviv, Compas, and Connor-Smith
everyday stressors are more likely to occur (e.g., Attar, Guerra, & Tolan, 1994). In turn, this increase in stressful life events, such as accidents and illnesses, tends to deplete an individuals capacity to cope with chronic strains, making one more vulnerable to their insidious effects (e.g., DuBois, Felner, Meares, & Krier, 1994). As...