An Examination of Coping Resources of Very Old Men and Women:

Abstract

This paper explores the stressors, hassles and coping processes of very old men and women in relation to their physical and instrumental functioning. Sex differences exist in relation to hassles, coping processes and instrumental functioning. Results of regression analyses show that the relationships between stresses and hassles and two types of function, instrumental and physical, are mediated by the elder's personal resources and coping strategies. Although when sex is considered as an independent measure, it has no significant relationship to either type of function.