Abstract

CASTRO, Karla; KIRCHNER, TEresa  and  PLANELLAS, Irina. Predicting Self-Destructive Behavior in Adolescents by Means of Coping Typologies. Univ. Psychol. [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.1, pp.121-133. ISSN 1657-9267.

Self-destructive behavior is a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly prevalent among adolescents. The main objective of this study is to establish in Spanish communitarian adolescents the association between self-destructive behavior and coping typologies, detecting higher risk profiles. A previous and additional objective is to determine the presence of self-destructive behavior in a subclinical/clinical range according to gender. From a sample of 1400 high school students between 12 and 16 years the results of this cross-sectional study indicate that 15% of adolescents reports self-destructive behavior in a subclinical or clinical level. No gender differences were observed. The adolescents with higher risk of self-destructive behavior are those belonging to the avoidance typology, characterized by the overuse of avoidance coping responses at the expense of those of approach. Coping typologies are more useful in predicting the risk of self-destructive behavior than the typical approach/avoidance dichotomy. The results of this study may have important implications for the prevention and treatment of self-destructive behaviors in adolescents at risk.

Keywords : self-destructive behavior; coping typologies; gender differences; personality theories; self-concept; teenagers.

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