Role Of Social Support and Coping Strategies in Post-traumatic Growth Among Parentally Bereaved Adolescents

Abstract

This research expected to assess the role of social support and coping strategies in post-traumatic growth among parentally bereaved adolescents. The data of (N=126) was taken through a purposive sampling technique comprising both males (n=52) and females (n=74) around district Swat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Data were collected through the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory which contains 21 items, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support contains 12 items and the Brief-COPE which contains 28 items. Data was then analyzed via statistical tools; correlation and t-tests were applied using Statistical Package for Social Science
(SPSS) software by finding frequencies and percentages of demographics and then the mean, standard deviation, reliability, and skewness of variables. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between post-traumatic growth, social support, and coping strategies. Results indicate significant mean differences in problem-focused coping strategies with t=-2.15, p<.01. Results indicate non-significant mean differences in posttraumatic growth, social support, emotion-focused coping, and avoidant-focused coping. The finding shows that males (M=20.85, SD=4.89) scored lower on problem-focused coping strategies as compared to females (M=22.65, SD=4.42). Results from this study indicate that post-traumatic growth among parentally bereaved adolescents can be positively affected by social support and coping strategies.