Developing coping typologies of minority adolescents: a latent profile analysis

J Adolesc. 2008 Aug;31(4):499-517. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.08.005. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Abstract

Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to develop a coping typology of minority adolescents (M=15.5 years). A multiethnic sample (n=354) was recruited from a program aimed at serving low-income students. LPA revealed three distinct coping profiles. The first comprised adolescents who used a number of specific coping strategies at a low level (low generic copers). The second comprised adolescents who emphasized active/approach strategies (e.g., planning; active copers). The third comprised adolescents who emphasized avoidant/passive strategies (e.g., substance abuse; avoidant copers). Active copers experienced significantly less depression and more stress-related growth than low generic copers. Low generic copers not only experienced significantly less depression than avoidant copers but also significantly less stress-related growth than active copers. Discussion focuses on integrating the current typology with traditional coping taxonomies.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • California
  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minority Groups / psychology*
  • Personality Development*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Poverty / psychology
  • Problem Solving
  • Psychometrics