Developing coping typologies of minority adolescents: A latent profile analysis

Abstract

Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to develop a coping typology of minority adolescents (M=15.5 years). A multiethnic sample (n=354) was recruited from a program aimed at serving low-income students. LPA revealed three distinct coping profiles. The first comprised adolescents who used a number of specific coping strategies at a low level (low generic copers). The second comprised adolescents who emphasized active/approach strategies (e.g., planning; active copers). The third comprised adolescents who emphasized avoidant/passive strategies (e.g., substance abuse; avoidant copers). Active copers experienced significantly less depression and more stress-related growth than low generic copers. Low generic copers not only experienced significantly less depression than avoidant copers but also significantly less stress-related growth than active copers. Discussion focuses on integrating the current typology with traditional coping taxomonies.