Coping in the Cyberworld: Program Implementation and Evaluation – A Pilot Project

As increasing numbers of adolescents become involved in online activities, many also become victims of cyberharassment. This pilot project investigates how a program teaching coping skills (Best of Coping program, BOC) and a program teaching cybersafety (Cyber Savvy Teens program, CST) can optimise adolescents' capacity to cope online. Thirty-three adolescents were divided into three groups: control, BOC and CST. Participants completed a questionnaire on cyberknowledge and habits preprogram; the Adolescent Coping scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K-10) pre- and post-program; and a program evaluation form post-program. Participants in both intervention groups demonstrated improvements in their overall mental health and in making better online choices post-program. The BOC program was found to be a better program for improving general coping than CST alone, while the CST program was better at tackling cyberspecific issues.

At-Risk Students in a Rural Context: Benefits and Gains From a Coping Skills Program

There are increasing demands in schools to provide social–emotional learning opportunities for students. This article reports on the utility of a universal coping skills program for young people at risk for depression in a rural context. The study deals specifically with the utility of the Best of Coping (BOC) program implemented to all students in Year 9 with a view to examining the benefits for students at-risk for depression. Two cohorts of Year 9 students (N= 159) participated in the program across 2006–07. Program effects were evaluated using the Adolescent Coping Scale and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and qualitative interviews. Successful intervention with the BOC was found to help students at-risk decrease dependence on Non-Productive coping strategies and reduce risk for negative mental health outcomes. Findings demonstrated that those in greatest need were able to benefit from a universal intervention program.

Coping skills training: Implications for educational practice

During the last decade there has been a call for schools to become more active in the promotion of students’ social and emotional learning (SEL). Given that teachers are significant adults in young people’s lives, they are often in the best position to deliver SEL programs. This small in-depth study investigated the impact of implementing a specific SEL program, “The Best of Coping”, on both the teacher and a class of 26 Year 9 (15-16 years) students. The study used a mixed methodology to evaluate the impact of the program. Both quantitative and qualitative data, including two case studies and entries from the teacher’s reflective journal, are reported. Changes in coping for both teacher and students as well as a positive impact on relationships between teachers and students were demonstrated. The study highlights the importance of the teacher’s role in implementing SEL programs and the challenges for teachers of delivering these programs. Issues associated with the implementation of school-based coping skills programs and the role of educational psychologists in supporting teachers in this work are discussed.

Teaching young people to cope: Benefits and gains for at risk students

This paper reports on three studies, which collectively demonstrate the benefits of a coping skills program, first for young people at risk for depression, then those with learning problems likely to suffer failure at school. In particular, the first study deals with the usefulness of the Best of Coping (BOC) program in a regular school setting for students at different levels of risk of developing depression. Studies two and three report the benefits of an adapted version of the BOC program (BOCM) for students who experience learning difficulties. Successful intervention with the BOCM was found to help low achieving students and students with learning difficulties develop productive coping skills, but also increased positive attitudes towards seeking help from others and decreasing dependence on Non-Productive coping strategies.

The Best of Coping Programme: Comparing format and modes of delivery

Three delivery modes (facilitated by a teacher alone, facilitated by a teacher and supported by psychologist and delivered by the psychologist only) and two formats (paper and pencil vs. computer) of a coping skills program were compared and assessed for outcomes. The sample of 222 Year 8 students was drawn from a large government school in metropolitan Melbourne. Results indicated that a significant change was present across time, independent of delivery model. Analyses showed that the delivery groups changed differently across time. A significant change was obtained for the coping style Reference to Others. Participants in the Supported Teacher and Computer-based groups increased their usage of the coping style Reference to Others, whereas the Teacher Facilitated group decreased the use of this style. A significant change was obtained between time and delivery group for the strategies seeking social support and seeking professional help. The Supported Teacher and Computed-based groups increased their use of these strategies, while the Teacher Facilitated group decreased. The results suggest that implementation support may have enhanced program effectiveness.

Promoting effective coping in adolescents ‘at-risk’ for depression

This study aims to investigate the effect of a coping skills program ‘The Best of Coping: Bright Lives’ on adolescents' coping styles. This study also seeks to determine if groups of adolescents who are more or less resistant to depression show different gains from program participation.Comparisons between changes in coping styles were made between groups of adolescents; those considered at-risk for and resistant to depression, those neither resistant or at-risk for depression, and a male and female group. All students, regardless of group membership, participated in the ‘The Best of Coping: Bright Lives’ program.All participants completed the Adolescent Coping Scale, the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Perceived Control of Internal States pre and post program.Results show a significant increase in Reference to Others coping post program, for all groups, particularly the males. The ‘at-risk’ group also appeared to show a decrease in the use of ‘Non-Productive’ coping post program, in comparison to the ‘resilient“ group.It appears that positive program effects are greatest for adolescents who are prone to depression and use the most ineffective strategies. This indicates that the program effectively targets the adolescents that need the help the most.

Coping skills training for adolescents at school

This study investigates the effect of a coping skills program “The Best of Coping” on adolescents’ coping style and self-efficacy and highlights a model of program delivery through the collaboration of school staff and a school psychologist Eighty-eight adolescents were recruited from a Melbourne suburb and divided into treatment and control groups, with the treatment group receiving the program. All participants completed the Adolescent Coping Scale and Perceived Control of Internal States questionnaires prior to and after the program was conducted. Results showed significant decreases in nonproductive coping and increases in self-efficacy for the treatment group postprogram and a trend indicating increases in productive coping. The findings are discussed with regard to the need to implement programs that can teach adolescents optimism and problem-solving skills so that they may handle problems and stressors more effectively. With the increase in depression and suicide rates, the need to provide school based programs is discussed, with particular emphasis placed on program implementation by collaboration of the school psychologist with teachers.