Rural/urban differences were studied in self-reported (life events,daily hassles and conflict),coping and behavioural problems in a community sample of adolescents.Despite challenging socioeconomic conditions in rural areas,levels of stress and ways of coping were similar in rural and urban adolescents.However,urban males reported more conflict and externalizing behaviours than females and rural males.Stress,coping and behavioural problems were interrelated but approach coping did not moderate the influence of stress on psychological funcioning.Results suggest that adolescents may utilize many coping strategies that serve little benefit in terms of behavioural outcomes.The Association for Professionals in services for Adolescents.Published by Elsevier Ltd.All rights reserved.