IS WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE GOOD FOR THE GANDER - SEX-DIFFERENCES IN RELATIONS BETWEEN ADOLESCENT COPING AND ADULT ADAPTATION

The way adolescents and adults cope with stress is associated with psychosocial adjustment and general adaptation. However, few studies have considered the possibility that the association between coping behavior and adaptation may be sex specific. We hypothesized that use of coping behaviors consistent with the feminine gender role would predict adult maladaptation for male adolescents and adults but not female adolescents and adults. One hundred sixty-six adolescents (84 girls) were seen twice-first when they were between 13 and 18 years of age and then approximately 6 years later as young adults. Coping during adolescence was assessed by seven scores derived from a modification of A-COPES; adult adaptation was assessed by standardized paper and pencil measures of self-esteem, well-being, depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, interpersonal problems, work satisfaction, satisfaction with romantic relations, and attachment style to romantic partner. Sex-specific associations with adult adaptation were found: For boys, the two coping behaviors most closely associated with the feminine gender role-turning to religion and tuning to friends-each predicted poor young-adult adaptation, whereas for girls they each predicted good adaptation. Discussion focused on traditional gender roles as mediators of the relation between adolescent coping and adult adaptation.