Coping Strategies for Students

This research examined how three coping strategies could support students in Further Education who have difficulties expressing themselves and some students who Self-harm.
The first strategy is the ABC Chain Analysis which encourages students who either Self- harm or had emotional outbursts to reflect on how to respond differently. The second strategy is a Happy Bag and Music. Students identified objects and downloaded music that reminded them of happier times. The third strategy: the Safety Plan is a detailed, individual plan of safe places, people and experiences for the participants.
Data collection involved: learning journals, questionnaires, observations and interviews. Using different data collection techniques allowed the students varied opportunities to express their opinions.
Peer pressure and relationship difficulties mostly affected the group. Findings concluded that all three strategies were effective methods to support students, with the Happy Bag proving the most popular. Arguably, the Chain Analysis and Safety Plan are more cognitive than practical, and may be more effective for students who do not have learning difficulties, but further research would be required. The group reported that being able to empower themselves to cope with difficult situations was very helpful. These findings have proved useful for colleagues’ professional development in supporting students with these issues.