Coping strategies and methods of managing psychological trauma during adolescence: an interpretative phenomenological perspective

Abstract

Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) the present study investigated the coping strategies that adolescents use in the aftermath of psychologically traumatizing experiences. A detailed analysis of ten transcripts identified four significant themes that specifically applied to the investigation topic: Event appraisals and coping, Emotion-regulation strategies, Extreme methods of coping, and Social support. These are discussed in reference to the present literature on coping with trauma, with a focus on concepts specifically related to adolescents. Sense of self and basic assumptions regarding their world and role within it were found to be significant underlying factors in the adolescents’ experience of coping with psychological trauma. Implications for treatment and future research are also discussed.