Differences in happiness and coping with stress in Secondary Education students

The objective of this study was to describe the coping strategies adopted by adolescents in different situations of stress that occur in their daily-to-day lives, and their perception of happiness. To go about this, first-and four-year students of Spanish compulsory Secondary Education (ESO in Spanish), who went to different Secondary Schools, were evaluated. The study sample was formed by 1,402 students (711 males and 691 females) aged 11-18 years. The results showed differences for gender and year of studies in the strategies they adopted to cope with stress. Happiness reduced as age increased. The coping strategies that address others and unproductive coping strategies influenced happiness, while productive coping strategies did not. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.