Perceived social support, coping strategies and stress among school going adolescents: a case of Mbale senior secondary school in Mbale City

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the relationship between perceived social supports, coping strategies and stress among school-going adolescents. The study employed a quantitative approach and a sample size of 260 composed of 130 girls and 130 boys between 14 to 19 years from Mbale senior secondary school in Mbale City. A Correlational study design was adopted to assess the interrelationships between the first three study objectives and Regression Analysis for the fourth objective. Data was, therefore, entered into SPSS and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlational Analysis and Regression Analysis. The study results indicated that there was a significant relationship between perceived social support and stress at r = 0.392, P=0.001, a significant relationship exists between stress and coping strategies among school-going adolescents as indicated (emotional r = 0.481, p = 0.001); (avoidant r = 0.535, P = 0.001); (problem-focused r = 0.407, P = 0.001). There was a significant relationship between perceived social support and coping strategies among school-going adolescents (emotional r = 0.391, P = 0.001); (avoidant r = 0.297, P = 0.001); (problem-focused r = 0.373, P = 0.001). In the presence of coping strategies sub-scales (Emotional coping and Avoidance coping sub scales), the relationship between perceived social support and stress, the adjusted r increased from 15% in Model 1 to 35% in Model 2. This implies that even in the presence or inclusion of coping strategies sub-scales (especially emotional and avoidance) as mediating variables, the relationship between stress and perceived social support remain significant ( P = .001 < .05). Based on this finding, the study recommends that school management, mental health practitioners, and the ministry of education should focus on interventions that promote stress management skills and healthy coping behaviors among adolescents. This will probably help adolescents who are using avoidance coping.