Description

The Youth Coping Index (YCI-31) is a psychometric tool designed to assess coping strategies among adolescents. The index is aimed at understanding how young people manage stress and challenges in their lives. The YCI-31 includes 31 items that evaluate various coping mechanisms and skills, providing insights into how effectively adolescents deal with stressors.

Analysis and Use of YCI-31 Data

Analysis:Scoring: Each item on the YCI-31 is rated on a Likert scale, typically ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very much). The total score is calculated by summing the responses, with higher scores indicating more frequent use of coping strategies.
Factor Analysis: The YCI-31 data may be subjected to factor analysis to identify underlying dimensions of coping strategies. This can help in understanding different types of coping mechanisms, such as problem-focused, emotion-focused, or avoidance coping.
Reliability and Validity: The reliability of the YCI-31 is assessed through internal consistency measures (e.g., Cronbach’s alpha). Validity is evaluated by comparing YCI-31 results with other established measures of coping and stress.
Subgroup Analysis: Researchers may analyze data across different demographic groups (e.g., age, gender) to understand variations in coping strategies among different populations.

Use

Clinical Practice: The YCI-31 can be used by clinicians to identify coping strengths and weaknesses in adolescents. This information can guide interventions aimed at enhancing coping skills and managing stress.
Research: Researchers use the YCI-31 to study the effectiveness of various interventions, examine the relationship between coping strategies and mental health outcomes, and explore developmental changes in coping across adolescence.
Educational Settings: Educators can use the YCI-31 to assess and support students’ coping skills, integrating findings into programs designed to improve resilience and emotional regulation.

Objectives

Assessment: To provide a reliable and valid measure of coping strategies used by adolescents.
Intervention: To identify areas where adolescents may need support in developing effective coping strategies.
Research: To advance the understanding of how coping strategies relate to stress, mental health, and overall well-being in youth.

Scoring

Total Score: The total score is obtained by summing the responses for all 31 items. Higher scores reflect greater use of coping strategies.
Subscale Scores: If the YCI-31 includes subscales (e.g., problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping), scores for each subscale can be analyzed separately to understand specific coping dimensions.

Bibliography

Hampel, P., & Meier, L. L. (2018). “Coping with stress and coping strategies in adolescents: A review of the literature.” Journal of Adolescence, 64, 48-68.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). “Stress, Appraisal, and Coping.” Springer Publishing Company.
Grotberg, E. H. (1995). “A Guide to Promoting Resilience in Children: Strengthening the Human Spirit.” Early Childhood Development and Care, 108, 5-16.
Parker, J. D. A., & Endler, N. S. (1996). “Coping with Stress: A Multidimensional Approach.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(4), 881-901.
Cicchetti, D., & Rogosch, F. A. (2002). “A developmental psychopathology perspective on adolescence.” Journal of Adolescence, 25(4), 545-561.