Coping Strategies among Adolescent Children of Depressed and Non Depressed Parents

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study was to find out differences in coping strategies of adolescents of depressed and non-depressed parents. Comparative cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission [PAEC] Hospital in Islamabad during the period of April 2014 to June 2014. The sample consisted of 130 adolescents including 50 from families of depressed parents and, 80 from non-depressed parents. The data was collected through purposive sampling technique. Brief COPE scale was used to assess coping strategies of the subjects. The results indicate significant difference in coping strategies of adolescents of depressed and non- depressed parents. The adolescents of depressed parents used more dysfunctional coping strategies such as active avoidant coping strategy. The results also highlighted significant gender differences. Results of the study suggest that children of depressed parents use dysfunctional coping strategies as compared to children of non-depressed parents. The findings are important for future research and prevention studies with children of depressed parents to incorporate healthy and functional coping strategies