To Örebro University

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to explore children and adolescents' views on coping with stress and aversive feelings.

METHODS: Swedish children and adolescents from Värmland county, aged 10-14 (N = 44, girls = 26), participated in group interviews on health and coping. In total, eight group interviews were conducted at four different schools.

RESULTS: Data was analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis and resulted in three themes: Accepting and expressing feelings, Doing things that make you feel good, and Searching for help.

CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging healthy emotional expression, support-seeking, and challenging societal norms can, according to the analysis of children and adolescents' testimonies, foster resilience. Family, peers, student health services, professionals, teachers, and animals contribute to their coping resources, with trust and relatability playing significant roles. The implications of the study can inform and improve future child health interventions and educational programs for nurturing effective coping skills from an early age.