Factors Influencing Stress Coping Behaviors of Elementary Students in Korea

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing stress coping behaviors of elementary students in Korea. Methods: This study used a descriptive comparative survey design. A total of 1,161 elementary students voluntarily participated in the study from 10 schools at three regional levels (large and medium-sized cities, and rural towns). Coping behaviors were measured by the modified Ways of Coping Checklist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results: The most commonly used stress coping behavior reported by the participants was mystic coping, followed by positive coping, and negative coping. Students living in the large city and female students tended to use more coping behaviors than students living in the medium-sized city or rural towns and male students, respectively. Positive coping behaviors were associated with high school performance while myotic coping behaviors were associated high life satisfaction. Conclusion: Elementary students who are males, dissatisfied with their lives, or living in large cities or rural towns tended to be at risk for poor coping. There were differences in factors influencing coping behaviors by type of coping behaviors. An approach to building a successful coping behavior that is specifically tailored to the gender subsets of population and region-specific social and physical environment is recommended