Avoidant coping predicts psychological disturbance in the elderly
Article Abstract:
The same stressful life event will produce very different effects on the psychological and physical health of different people, possibly as a result of differences in coping styles. Coping behavior can be considered as either problem-focused (where direct action is taken to solve problems) or as emotion-focused (where the person tries to change his or her emotional responses, without acting on the stressor). Coping styles of the elderly are of particular concern, since this group has a high incidence of illness, tragic life events, and depression. To learn more about coping strategies among older people, subjects participated in a neighborhood study of the effects of life events on health. They were interviewed regarding the most stressful life event that had occurred during the previous four months and the ways they had coped with it. Subsequent interviews took place every four months; results from the first two interviews for 84 subjects (average age, 71) are reported. Coping was assessed by the Ways of Coping Questionnaire; psychological disturbance by the Global Severity Index (GSI); and physical symptoms by a medical questionnaire. Results showed that people who coped with stress with self-blame, wishful thinking, and avoidance, had a greater tendency to have more physical symptoms at the time of the second interview. These strategies made up a type of coping designated ''avoidant coping''; people who used this method had more signs of psychological disturbance on the GSI. In contrast, people who used ''approach coping'' did not show psychological disturbance, according to this scale. The presence of physical symptoms during the four-month interval, however, was not influenced by coping styles. Overall, coping style after stressful situations was associated with subsequent health-related symptoms. Avoidant coping is more highly associated with increased psychological disturbance. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0022-3018
Year: 1990
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Depression and distress predict time to cardiovascular disease in dementia caregivers
Article Abstract:
Elevated depressive symptoms and reaction to patient problem behaviors can increase a dementia caregiver's risk for cardiovascular disease. Data on 643 participants across 18 months is used to support the findings.
Publication Name: Health Psychology
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0278-6133
Year: 2007
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