Effects of Social Class and Birth Order on Coping Behaviour in Adolescence

Present investigation has been made to ascertain the effects of Social Class and Birth Order on Coping Beheviour in Adolescence. A 2X2 factorial design was employed. The two factors studied were:  Social Class (General/SC Category), and Birth Order (First and Third child). There were four cells with thirty five subjects in each cell (Total sample consisted of 140 subjects). Dependent variable (Coping Behaviour) in the study was measured by Carver’s COPE scale. Subjects were assessed on total test scores. Results of ANOVA show main effects of Social Class and Birth Order were found significant on total coping test scores but Interaction between Social Class and Birth Order remained insignificant. First Child in birth order were found better on total coping test scores than third child in birth order. Subjects from General category were found better on total coping test scores than SC category. Study suggests further monitoring of the development of SC category for psychological development and to improve coping skills in later birth order children.