Development of adaptive coping strategies of students in a university setting (on the example of the Educational and Practical Center for Conflict Resolution of Southwestern State University)

The purpose of the study. A significant task today is to increase the socio-psychological well-being of students in a university setting. Due to the increased intensity of educational activity, its complexity, and multitasking, the mental stress of students is increasing. Significant stress factors are the new social situation of development; the situation of external assessment in the process of intellectual tests; individual and personal characteristics of participants in educational relations; students' concerns about the ability to cope with educational tasks.

The purpose of our work is to explore the possibilities of using the potential of the Educational and Practical Conflict Resolution Center of Southwestern State University for the development of adaptive coping strategies of students.

In our work, we investigated the preferred coping strategies of students, offered recommendations for creating psychological and pedagogical conditions for the development of students' coping strategies that contribute to successful adaptation to the conditions.

Methods. Theoretical and methodological analysis of scientific sources on the research problem was used in the work; empirical research methods: testing using the following techniques: "Questionnaire of coping methods" by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman (Ways of Coping Questionnaire – WCQ), adapted by the Bekhterev National Research Institute; "Coping behavior in stressful Situations" by N. Endler, J. Parker.

Results. In the process of empirical research, it was revealed that the most characteristic for students in a stressful situation is coping, focused on avoidance, which manifests itself in distraction. That is, a significant number of students prefer not to solve the problem, but to distract themselves from it by other activities.

Among the methods of coping behavior, "escape-avoidance" is pronounced, which most researchers consider to be maladaptive. Coping strategies "distancing" and "positive reassessment" are significantly expressed, which are aimed not at solving the problem, but at reducing emotional involvement in it, preventing emotional reactions to frustration.

Conclusion. Thus, there is an obvious need for students to develop problem-oriented coping strategies. In particular, the strategies of "self-control" and "solution planning", which will help students direct their efforts to a rational solution of the problem.

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