Psychological Development and Education ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3): 335-343.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2021.03.04

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The Causes of the Development of Coping Styles in Childhood: Trait Theory or Situational Theory?

SU Zhiqiang1, MA Zhengyu1, ZHANG Dajun2, MA Jianyun3   

  1. 1. Faculty of Teacher Education, Yangtze Normal University, Chongqing 408100;
    2. Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715;
    3. Faculty of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715
  • Published:2021-05-18

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Abstract: In order to explore the causes of the development of coping styles in childhood. This study conducted a two-year follow-up study, 355 students in grade3 were investigated by the coping style questionnaire and the Psychological Suzhi scale (kids version). This study compares the developmental trajectories of different coping styles in academic difficulties situations and peer conflict situations, and the impact of trait (Psychological Suzhi) on the development of coping styles. The results show that:The positive coping styles of childhood children have different development trajectories in academic difficulties situations and peer conflict situations, while the negative coping styles have the same development track in those situations. The trait factors-Psychological Suzhi can significantly predict positive or negative coping styles of children at different times. This shows that the development of coping styles in childhood is the result of a combination of situational factors and trait factors.

Key words: coping styles, situational theory, trait theory, children

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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