Health and hassles in older and younger men

This study compared hassles and uplifts in older and younger chronically ill men in regard to whether they perceived their health as good or poor (N = 50). Hassles are irritating and frustrating demands (minor stress) that characterize everyday transaction with the environment, such as losing things or being in traffic jams. Uplifts are positive events that could help counteract the effects of stress. Men in the study rated 40 potential hassles and 40 uplifts on 1 to 4 scales for the preceding month. These were compared by multivariate analysis of variance between older (age 65 and over) and younger (ages 45 through 64) men and between good vs. poor perceptions of health. Uplifts did not discriminate significantly between ages or health perceptions. In addition, hassles were similar between old and young; however, they differed significantly by good and poor assessments of health. Those who viewed their health as poor reported more hassles, mostly from events that were related to their physical health care. Because of the confounding effects with health in individuals who are already ill, hassles may not be good predictors of future health status, but they can help health professionals understand the kinds of demands that produce stress in management of diseases.