The Association Between Playfulness and Coping in Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between playfulness and coping skills in adolescent males both typically developing (TD) and with severe emotional disturbance (SED). Thirty male adolescents (16 TD, 14 with SED) ranging in ages from 14 to 17 years comprised two groups. Each participant was scored on the Test of Playfulness (ToP) (Bundy, 1998) and on the Coping Inventory (Zeitlin, 1985). A significant positive correlation (r = .785; p < .01) was discovered to exist between the adolescents' level of playfulness and their coping skills. Point biserial correlations, between group (TD and SED) and the ToP scores (r = .889; p < .0001) and between group and ABIs (Coping Inventory) (r = .873; p < .0001), revealed that these adolescents came from two distinct groups. As expected, TD adolescents were rated as more playful than those with SED and scored higher in effective coping skills. This study has implications for occupational therapy intervention with adolescents. High correlations between playfulness and coping support the idea of using play and playfulness to improve coping skills particularly the ability to adapt and to approach problems and goals in a flexible manner.

Key Words:

• Playfulness
• coping
• emotional illness
• play
• occupational therapy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Louise M. Hess

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.

Barbara J. Steva, OTWL, BCP, is Occupational Therapist, University of New England Community Occupational Therapy Clinic, Saco, ME. She was Director of Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation, Franciscan Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Boston, MA, when this work was completed.