The underlying roles of coping strategies in the relationship between negative peer experiences and mental health problems in Vietnamese adolescents: A SEM approach
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Negative peer experiences, such as peer rejection, bullying and cyberbullying, are prevalent stressors that can significantly impact adolescents' mental health. This study examines the mediating roles of coping strategies in the relationship between negative peer experiences and mental health problems among Vietnamese adolescents. Using a sample of 1,505 adolescents (Mage = 14.4, SD = 1.6; 47.9% females), we employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the complex interplay among these variables. Results revealed that negative peer experiences were associated with increased mental health problems, including both internalising and externalising ones. Furthermore, adaptive coping strategies mediated the relationship between peer victimisation and mental health outcomes, reducing the adverse effects of negative peer experiences. Conversely, maladaptive coping mechanisms served as mediators that intensified the impact of peer victimization on mental health issues. These findings underscore the critical importance of promoting adaptive coping skills in interventions targeting mental health among adolescents facing peer-related adversities.
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,180
OpenAlex ID: W7213666663