The specifics of stress and coping strategies among young peoples

Abstract

The article presents the result of an experimental study on stress and coping strategies among young people. The research included 210 young individuals. In order to assess stress and coping strategies we used the following tests: The Perceived Stress Scale by S. Cohen and G. Williamson and COPE Questionnaire (C. Carver, M. Scheier and J. Weintraub). The experimental results highlighted a large number of young people with medium and high level of stress. No gender differences were consummated in manifestation of stress among young people. The most frequently used coping strategies were: positive reinterpretation, use of alcohol and medication, planning, acceptance, religious orientation, and seeking social-instrumental support. Gender difference between young men and women revealed that young men in stressful situations tend to choose: denial, passive behavioural and use of alcohol and medications, while young women engage in active coping, planning, eliminating competing activities, seeking social-instrumental support, positive reinterpretation, acceptance and religious orientation.