title: Coping and depressive symptoms in adolescents with a chronic medical condition: a search for intervention targets.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to find relevant coping factors for the development of psychological intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition. A wide range of coping techniques were studied, including cognitive coping, behavioral coping and goal adjustment coping. A total of 176 adolescents participated. They were contacted through social networking websites or Internet forums and through schools for children with a physical disability. Several cognitive and behavioral coping strategies and goal adjustment were found to be related to symptoms of depression. The cognitive coping strategies had the strongest influence on depressive symptoms. Especially self-blame, rumination and catastrophizing seemed to be important factors. If these findings can be confirmed, they could contribute to the focus and content of intervention programs for adolescents with a chronic medical condition.
authors: Department of Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands. kraaij@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
authors: Vivian
authors: V
authors: Kraaij
authors: Nadia
authors: N
authors: Garnefski
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D055815:Young Adult