Coping, emotion regulation, and psychopathology in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analysis and narrative review.

Abstract

In this meta-analytic and narrative review, we examine several overarching issues related to the study of coping, emotion regulation, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms of psychopathology in childhood and adolescence, including the conceptualization and measurement of these constructs. We report a quantitative meta-analysis of 212 studies (N = 80,850 participants) that measured the associations between coping and emotion regulation with symptoms of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Within the meta-analysis we address the association of broad domains of coping and emotion regulation (e.g., total coping, emotion regulation), intermediate factors of coping and emotion regulation (e.g., primary control coping, secondary control coping), and specific coping and emotion regulation strategies (e.g., emotional expression, cognitive reappraisal) with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. For cross-sectional studies, which made up the majority of studies included, we examine 3 potential moderators: age, measure quality, and single versus multiple informants. Finally, we separately consider findings from longitudinal studies as these provide stronger tests of the effects. After accounting for publication bias, findings indicate that the broad domain of emotion regulation and adaptive coping and the factors of primary control coping and secondary control coping are related to lower levels of symptoms of psychopathology. Further, the domain of maladaptive coping, the factor of disengagement coping, and the strategies of emotional suppression, avoidance, and denial are related to higher levels of symptoms of psychopathology. Finally, we offer a critique of the current state of the field and outline an agenda for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record

Coping in context: The effects of long-term relations between interparental conflict and coping on the development of child psychopathology following parental divorce

“…Although this effect was only marginally significant and thus requires replication, it is consistent with prior research showing adverse effects of avoidant coping (Aldao, Nolen-Hoeksema, & Schweizer, 2010; Compas et al, 2017; Nicolotti et al, 2003; Sandler et al, 1994; Tu et al, 2016). These results suggest that high use of avoidant coping may be particularly detrimental for youth who are exposed to high levels of chronic conflict over time.…”

“…The most widely recognized model by Lazarus and Folkman (1987) distinguishes subtypes of coping based on whether one’s efforts are focused on regulating emotions that arise in reaction to the stressor (i.e., emotion-focused) or making a direct impact on the stressors itself (i.e., problem-focused). This typology has frequently been applied to the search for matching coping strategies to context, as emotion-focused strategies are often presumed to be adaptive in the face of uncontrollable stressors, whereas problem-focused strategies are seen as adaptive in situations in which the individual has the ability to exert control and modify the stressor itself (Compas, Banez, Malcarne, & Worsham, 1991; Compas et al, 2017; Kerig, 2001). More recently, Compas and colleagues advocated for distinguishing active (i.e., engagement) strategies according to the motivational goals underlying one’s coping efforts, namely primary control (those focused on changing the situation or the consequences of one’s reaction to the situation; e.g., problem solving, emotion regulation, hiding emotional expression) and secondary control (those focused on adapting to the situation; e.g., cognitive reappraisal, distraction, acceptance, positive thinking) (Compas et al, 2001; Connor-Smith, Compas, Wadsworth, Thomsen, & Saltzman, 2000).…”

A preventive intervention to modify depression risk targets after breast cancer diagnosis: Design and single‐arm pilot study

“…Risk for depression varies in part as a function of the strategies women use to pursue their goals while navigating around and through obstacles in their internal and external environments. Coping and emotion regulation (ER) processes are used to initiate, delay, terminate, modify the form or content, or modulate the amount or intensity of a person's cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or physiological reactions to obstacles to goal attainment . They include many of the same strategies, but it is rare for both to be measured in the same study.…”

What's Race Got to Do With It? Racial Socialization's Contribution to Black Adolescent Coping

“…In a meta‐analysis examining the impact of coping on 80,850 youth outcomes across 212 studies, Compas, Jaser, et al. () and Compas, Gruhn, et al. () found that engagement coping behaviors were associated with lower internalizing symptoms and usage of disengagement coping behaviors was associated with higher internalizing and externalizing symptoms.…”