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An exploratory study comparing depressed and nondepressed elders' coping strategies.
Journal of Gerontology
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Elderly individuals experiencing depression utilize avoidance and emotional discharge coping strategies more frequently. Nondepressed elders perceive coping methods as more helpful, regardless of frequency of use.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Coping mechanisms are crucial for navigating life events, especially in older adults.
- Depression in elders is often associated with maladaptive coping strategies.
- Understanding these differences can inform interventions for geriatric mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare coping behaviors and perceived helpfulness between depressed and nondepressed elderly individuals.
- To identify specific coping strategies associated with depression in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A self-report coping behavior measure was administered to 32 nondepressed elders and 32 matched depressed outpatients.
- Participants identified coping strategies for life events and "feeling down."
- Coping strategies were rated for helpfulness by both groups.
Main Results:
- Depressed elders reported significantly higher use of avoidance coping behaviors.
- Emotional discharge coping techniques were more prevalent in the depressed group.
- Nondepressed elders consistently rated all coping methods as more helpful than depressed elders.
Conclusions:
- Avoidance and emotional discharge are linked to depression in older adults.
- Perceived helpfulness of coping strategies differs significantly between depressed and nondepressed elders.
- Findings suggest potential targets for therapeutic interventions in geriatric depression.