Coping strategies of older women with hip fractures: resources and outcomes

This study examined the strategies used by 101 older women, aged 65 to 94, to cope with their hip fractures. During an interview, the women described their health, income, ability to perform tasks of daily living, cognitive functioning, locus of control, levels of depression, informal network, and use of coping strategies. Results indicate that the women used a variety of different coping strategies, with "seeking social support" being the most frequent. A strong belief in external control was the only resource predictive of the coping strategies employed. The use of several emotional-focused strategies was associated with poorer functional recovery.