Assessment of coping strategies for stress and depression among adolescents in Udupi taluk, Karnataka

Background: Adolescent is the age between 10-19 years and prone to develop stress and depression. They learn coping strategies to overcome stress and depression which shape their future. Aims & Objectives: To assess the coping strategies adopted by adolescents to overcome stress and depression in Udupi taluk, Karnataka. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents from class 9th to 11th. Two stage stratified random sampling technique was used. Stratification was done into government, aided and private schools in first stage and proportional allocation was done among study participants in second stage. The total sample size was 1058. Brief cope inventory was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results: Most common coping strategy used were active coping, use of instrumental support, planning and positive reframing. Least used coping strategies were humor, behavior disengagement and substance abuse among adolescents. Age of adolescents, type of school and classes were statistically significant with coping strategies. Conclusion: Commonly used coping strategies were positive ways of coping but still some adolescents used negative coping strategies as well which might have an impact in life or shape them in developing their behavior.