Developmental and gender influences on coping: Implications for skills training

The transition to adulthood for today's youth is a difficult journey filled with risk, rapid change, and seemingly endless choices. Effective coping s kills can help youth navigate these challenges. This article explores the i mpact of gender and developmental level on coping skill acquisition in adol escence. Suggestions for helping youth to develop effective coping strategi es are provided from both a prevention and intervention perspective. By hel ping today's youth develop the necessary strategies to deal with the unavoi dable stresses encountered in life, school psychologists and counselors can help to ultimately create adults who have the skills and necessary psychol ogical resources to successfully cope and adapt to life's changes. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.