Perceived Stressful Situations and Coping Strategies Utilized by the Elderly

Abstract

This is a descriptive study designed to elicit information regarding the types of stressful situations experienced by the elderly and the coping strategies utilized to deal with the stress. The theory of stress and coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) was utilized as the theoretical framework for the study. Methodology consisted of the administration of a questionnaire. Participants were first asked to describe a stressful event that they had experienced within the past month. Subsequently, they were asked to identify the coping strategies that they had used to deal with that stress. Data analysis revealed that loss and conflict were the two major types of stress experienced by the elderly, and that prayer is the most frequently used coping strategy. Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of the coping strategies utilized by the elderly. The findings have implications for community health nurses.