Dealing with a depressing situation can be challenging, especially when a person faces it alone without support from others who understand their experience. Research shows that when someone ruminates, meaning they focus excessively on their problems and feelings, it becomes harder to find solutions. Working through depression effectively involves breaking the cycle of rumination and using healthy coping strategies.
The Working Through a Depressing Situation is a worksheet that helps clients understand their experiences and emotions better. It asks questions about the depressing event, including their emotions and actions. After answering these questions, they can check boxes for coping skills they can use next time a negative situation arises and add more details as needed.
Kids and teens using this worksheet have the chance to increase their self-awareness and improve their ability to cope with depressing situations. Creating a personal schedule to try one coping skill at a time can also be helpful in identifying which strategies work best for them and gradually becoming consistent in using them.
Adults can also provide our Depression Coping Skills Tracker as a way of helping the child track their use of coping strategies.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of depression worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Coyne, J. C., Aldwin, C., & Lazarus, R. S. (1981). Depression and coping in stressful episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90(5), 439-447. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-843x.90.5.439
- Garnefski, N., Boon, S., & Kraaij, V. (2003). Relationships between cognitive strategies of adolescents and depressive symptomatology across different types of life event. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32(6), 401-408. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1025994200559
- Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100(4), 569-582. https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-843x.100.4.569
- Rafnsson, F. D., Jonsson, F. H., & Windle, M. (2006). Coping strategies, stressful life events, problem behaviors, and depressed affect. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 19(3), 241-257. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615800600679111
- Sawyer, M. G., Pfeiffer, S., & Spence, S. H. (2009). Life events, coping and depressive symptoms among young adolescents. Journal of Affective Disorders, 117(1-2), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.12.013
