COPING STYLES IN KARACHI YOUTH: A SOCIOCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The present study investigates the coping strategies employed by adolescents in the metropolitan city of Karachi, with a focus on gender, ethnicity, and family structure. The primary aim was to determine whether specific coping styles are more prevalent among youth, and whether significant gender differences exist in the use of these strategies. The findings revealed statistically significant gender differences in several coping styles, including self-distraction (p = .002), active coping (p = .028), substance use (p < .001), planning (p = .004), and religious coping (p = .002). Ethnic differences were also observed in the use of substance coping (p = .018) and planning strategies (p = .011). While no significant gender differences were found among Urdu-speaking adolescents, the Punjabi subgroup demonstrated marked differences in self-distraction, religion, and active coping. These results highlight the influence of sociocultural factors on stress management among Karachi’s youth.