Coping Strategies as Protective Factors for Mental Health and Work Readiness Among Students

The purpose of this study was to examine whether coping strategies act as a protective factor in the relationship between mental health and work readiness of Tadulako University students.This study used a quantitative correlational approach with a moderation test.The research sample was 221 students from 14 study programs at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Tadulako University, using a random sampling technique.The research instrument used DASS 21 to measure mental health, WRS 49 to measure work readiness, and Brief COPE 28 to measure coping strategies.The data were then analyzed using a moderation regression test.The results of this study proved that the interaction between mental health and adaptive coping was significant for work readiness (β_interaction = +0.215;p < 0.01).Thus, adaptive coping strategies are a protective factor for students' mental health and work readiness.