An Investigation of Coping Strategies and Mental Health among Peer-Victimized Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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atmire.migration.oldid314
dc.contributor.advisorMcCrimmon, Adam
dc.contributor.advisorBeran, Tanya
dc.contributor.authorAltomare, Alyssa
dc.contributor.committeememberSchwartz, Kelly
dc.contributor.committeememberStrong, Tom
dc.date.accessioned2017-09-29T15:02:28Z
dc.date.available2017-09-29T15:02:28Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.date.submitted2017en
dc.description.abstractThe way in which students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cope with peer victimization (i.e., bullying) has been relatively unexplored within the literature. Despite the growing number of studies revealing high rates of peer victimization among students with ASD, much is still unknown on how to offset the negative psychological outcomes of this form of abuse. As such, the current study examined coping strategies in relation to anxious and depressive symptoms among peer-victimized students with ASD. Coping strategies were examined using a modified version of Causey and Dubow’s (1992) Self-Report Coping Scale (SRCS; Kochenderfer-Ladd & Skinner, 2002; Wright, Banerjee, Hoek, Rieffe, & Novin, 2010). The sample included 49 students with ASD and intact cognitive functioning, ranging between ages 8 to 17 years (grades 4-12). One parent (n = 48) and one teacher (n = 34) were also invited to participate for each student participant. Consistent with previous research, the results from the current study revealed high rates of peer victimization (using the past month as a timeframe), with the highest rates reported by parents (83.3%) and teachers (73.5%). Examination of coping strategies in relation to mental health among peer-victimized students with ASD revealed that externalizing coping predicted a significant increase in depressive symptoms, whereas trivializing coping (i.e., making light of the problem) predicted a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms. The findings from this study provide important insights into the coping strategies used by students with ASD, as well as suggestions for future research and intervention efforts.en_US
dc.identifier.citationAltomare, A. (2017). An Investigation of Coping Strategies and Mental Health among Peer-Victimized Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24912en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/24912
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11023/4167
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectEducational Psychology
dc.subjectPsychology--Behavioral
dc.subjectPsychology--Clinical
dc.subjectPsychology--Cognitive
dc.subjectPsychology--Developmental
dc.subjectPsychology--Social
dc.subject.otherASD
dc.subject.otherpeer victimization
dc.subject.othercoping strategies
dc.subject.otherAnxiety
dc.subject.otherDepression
dc.titleAn Investigation of Coping Strategies and Mental Health among Peer-Victimized Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineEducational Psychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
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