Rural-urban differences in stress, coping styles and behavioural problems in adolescents

Elgar, Frank J. (1999) Rural-urban differences in stress, coping styles and behavioural problems in adolescents. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Relationships were examined between self-reported stress, coping and behavioural problems in 100 urban and 146 rural adolescents. Due to social and economic characteristics of rural communities, differences were expected to emerge between the two samples. Urban males reported more stress from social conflict and more externalizing problem behaviours than any other group, and relationships Detween life events and coping were stronger among females. Moderating effects of coping on the relationships between stress and problems were expected; they were tested using hierarchical regression analyses and structural equation modelling. Although stress, coping and problems were highly intercorrelated, the effects of stress on problems were not significantly moderated by coping. The data fit a structural equation model of direct effects of both stress and coping, indicating that stress and coping may have additive but not interactive effects on problems. This result could be due to adolescents' utilization of many coping strategies in response to stress - few of which have any moderating effects, or to a number of methodological and measurement issues. The findings are discussed in the context of adolescent development in rural communities and implications are presented for parents, educators and health professionals.

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