Coping Skills and Self-Esteem among School-going Adolescents in Assam

The present study was undertaken to investigate the self-esteem and coping styles among school-going adolescents in the city of Tezpur of the state of Assam. A random selection of 120 students from a school was chosen for the study. Rosenberg self-esteem scale was used to measure the self-esteem and coping styles were measured by Brief Cope and results were statistically analyzed. The self-esteem scores of nearly the entire population of respondents (99.2%) fell within average range. The mean scores on Brief Cope subscales of Planning and Instrumental Support fell in the high range while those on Active Coping, Acceptance, Self-distraction and Use of Emotional Support fell within the medium range.  Mean scores on subscales of Venting, Self-blame, Denial, Behavioral Disengagement, Humour and Substance Abuse fell within low range. Coping strategies of Self-distraction and Religion showed significant positive correlations with Self-esteem while those of Denial, Substance-use and Self-blame showed negative correlation with Self-esteem.