The role of coping with peer stress in adolescent depression: a closer look at coping in process

The current study examined how theoretically relevant yet unexplored aspects of adolescent coping responses were related to symptoms of depression. Specifically, the emotion regulatory function of coping behaviors as well as an adolescent's relative use of coping dimensions and trajectories of adolescent coping were examined in response to a peer-related stressor. The Adolescent Coping Process Interview (ACPI), a scenario-based video vignette measure designed to assess adolescents' unfolding emotional arousal and coping responses as well as a standard depression measure were administered to 84 adolescents (mean age = 14.8, 43% males) from a predominantly rural school district. Results from the current study do not support the emotion regulatory function of coping behaviors in relation to depression. However, results do suggest that an adolescent's relative use of coping dimensions, possibly reflecting a more "ruminative" response pattern, are positively associated with depressive symptoms above and beyond demographic characteristics or single dimensions of coping. In addition, findings offer preliminary support for the importance of the timing of coping behaviors within the coping process. Findings are discussed within the broader framework of using the current approach to assess adolescent coping responses and their relation to psychopathology