Examining coping strategies used by Spanish female social work students: evidence for the importance of social problem-solving abilities

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the role of social problem-solving abilities in the coping strategies used by 310 female social work students from Spain. Results from comparative analyses of the coping strategies, used by students to deal with stressful situations, indicated the greater use of functional forms of coping (eg problem solving and cognitive restructuring), compared to dysfunctional forms of coping (eg problem avoidance and wishful thinking). Moreover, results from regression analyses indicated that constructive social problem-solving abilities, namely, positive problem orientation and rational problem solving, predicted the use of functional coping strategies (eg problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and express emotions). Alternatively, one damaging social problem-solving ability, namely, negative problem orientation, predicted the use of dysfunctional coping strategies (eg problem avoidance, wishful thinking, self criticism, and social withdrawal). Taken together, these findings provide an important first step for understanding what and how social problem-solving abilities might inform how social work students cope with stressful situations as they arise. Some implications for social work education and training are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Coping strategies
• social problem-solving abilities
• social work
• females

Disclosure statement

The authors indicate that is no conflict of interest to report.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding information to report.

Notes on contributors

Amaia de la Fuente

Amaia de la Fuente, MSW, is a doctoral student in the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country, Leoioa, Spain.

Edward C. Chang

Edward C. Chang, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, and Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.

Olga Cardeñoso

Olga Cardeñoso, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology, Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of the Basque Country, Leoioa, Spain.

Olivia D. Chang

Olivia D. Chang, is a psychology student, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.