title: The role of cognitive style in the stress and coping of black South African adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although stress is a common phenomenon in all phases of life, it can be said that adolescence is a particularly stressful life stage. In South Africa, black adolescents are faced with many stressors and challenges which are placing demands on their emotional and cognitive resources.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether black South African adolescents with different cognitive styles (i.e. rational or experiential) differ in their levels of stress and coping. Furthermore, the common stressors that black adolescents experience and the coping styles predominantly used by black adolescents could be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eighty-seven participants (88 males and 99 females) completed the Rational Experiential, the Coping Reponses and the Adolescent Stress Inventory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents operating from an experiential cognitive style experienced more stress regarding school performance, school attendance, financial pressure and emerging adult responsibility than adolescents operating from a rational cognitive style. Adolescents employing a rational style sought more alternative rewards as a coping strategy, whereas adolescents employing an experiential style relied more on emotional discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study concur with previous research, but provide a unique perspective on adolescents' stress and coping in this South African context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State , Bloemfontein , South Africa.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Rooyen
authors.forename: Luzelle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Naude
authors.forename: Lindi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esterhuyse
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D044383:Black People; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D013019:South Africa; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Cognitive style; South African adolescents; stress and coping