Coping strategies as the predictor of irrational beliefs among adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of coping strategies and irrational beliefs. To this end, 360 middle and high school students completed Kidcope (Spirito, Stark, & Williams, 1988) and The Irrational Beliefs Scale (Çivitci, 2006). For the statistical analyzes of the study, Pearson moments correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses were used. The results indicated that there is a medium negative relation between active coping and demand for comfort, medium positive relation between negative coping and demand for comfort. There is a medium positive relation between avoidant coping and demand for success, low positive relation with demand for comfort. Results of multiple regression analyses indicated that within the demand of success; avoidant coping strategies was the only predictor. Another result indicated that within demand for comfort; negative, active and avoidant strategies were the significant predictors, respectively. In the light of these findings, suggestions for the future interventions to improve coping skills of the students via individual and group guidance activities were emphasized and ideas for future research are discussed.