Adolescent coping in different Chinese family environments.
This study explored the relationship between family environment and adolescent coping in a Chinese sample. Four family types were identified with cluster analysis: (a) conflict-control, (b) structured, cohesive, expressive, and recreation-oriented, (c) structured, cohesive, and low conflict, and (d) unstructured and low control. Families with high cohesion, expressiveness, organization, low conflict, and low to medium level of control were associated with a more constructive coping style. Chinese adolescents tended to (a) mobilize personal resources, (b) seek help from social resources, and (c) adopt a philosophy of doing nothing as their major coping style when they had a positive perception of their family environment. This coping style was termed "fatalistic voluntarism." Finally, boys' coping behaviors were somewhat different from girls'. Girls tended to rely more on social support, whereas boys tended to avoid the problem or engage in blaming.
Hamid
P Nicholas
PN
City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Yue
Xiao Dong
XD
Leung
Chi Mei
CM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States