Family structure, adolescent stress and coping.
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Date
1996
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Abstract
Due to the rapid onset of westernization, there is a remarkable
change in the life styles and the family structure of the black
South African population in favour of smaller and economically
manageable families. There is also an increase in political as well
as family violence in black communities. children, adolescents and
young adults are subject to these rapid changes. Family structures
and life styles are also affected by these changes. The present
study seeks to investigate the relationship between family
structures and styles of coping with stressful life events.
Hypotheses concerning this relationship are that adolescents from
nuclear and extended family structures differ in handling stressful
life events. Questions relating to family relations, stressful life
events and ways of coping.were administered to 100 standard. 9 and
' 1 0 students, of which 80 were females and 20 were males. The level
of stress was assessed by Moos' "Family Environment Scale" and
coping efforts were assessed by Folkman and Lazarus' s "Ways of
Coping Checklist". All these instruments were translated into zulu
to avoid second language problems. A statistical analysis of the
results was undertaken. The results did not show significant
differences between coping styles of adolescent members of the two
family structures. There were, however, some overlaps between the
nuclear and the extended family structures concerning the way
stressful life events were perceived.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.
Keywords
Stress in children--South Africa., Children--South Africa--Social conditions., Family--South Africa., Theses--Psychology., Adjustment (Psychology) in adolescence--South Africa., Stress in adolescence--South Africa.