Objective:
To explore the development trajectory of coping strategy and gender difference during childhood.
Methods:
A total of 355 children in grade 3 from 2 primary schools in Zhongshan of Guangdong Province and Dazhou of Sichuan Province were assessed with cooping strategy and followed up for 2 years.
Results:
Positive and negative coping strategies have different developmental trajectories during childhood, with non-linear upward trend in positive coping strategies (eta11=0.11, 0.02, P>0.05) and non-linear downward trend in negative coping strategies (eta12=-0.70, -0.08, P<0.01). The development of positive coping strategies during childhood showed no significant gender difference (△χ2=5.19, df=4, P>0.05). While the initial average negative coping strategies was significant higher in boys(β=-0.56, P<0.01), and the decreasing velocity was faster than the girls(β=0.33, P<0.01).
Conclusion
The coping strategy during childhood shows great plasticity, with positive and negative coping strategy develops in different trajectory. The developmental trajectories of negative coping strategies during childhood illustrate significant sex difference, while it is not the case for positive coping strategy.