Coping in longitudinal perspective: Findings from the bonn longitudinal study on aging

Within the Bonn Longitudinal Study on Aging (BOLSA) 221 women and men, born between 1890-95 and between 1900-05, were tested and interviewed in the year 1965 for the first time. Survivors were followed at seven measurement points until 1980. One of three lengthy interviews was related to the topic of stress and coping. Information on perceived stresses in the areas of housing, income, family and health were rated. Furthermore, responses to these different stress areas were analyzed by an empirically developed classification system. Findings point to a complex system of response patterns even in the group of very old participants. These response patterns were different for the four areas of stress, such as family or health etc. Response patterns related to the same problem area remained consistent over the 15-year span. Cluster analyses point to situation specific as well as person specific response patterns.