Chronic stressors, stress coping and depressive tendencies among older adults

Abstract

Aims This study aimed to clarify the association between chronic stressors, stress coping and depressive tendencies among older adults. Methods We carried out a survey with 500 participants aged in their 70s, who were randomly selected from the basic resident register. Of these, 304 residents responded to the survey (60.8%). Results Findings from a factor analysis and cluster analysis revealed five groups of chronic stressors: physical, economic and interpersonal stressor; physical and economic stressor; interpersonal stressor; physical stressor; and low stressor. The factor analysis revealed four factors of coping: cognitive coping, support‐seeking, positive problem solving and escape–avoidance. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both physical, economic and interpersonal stressor, and physical and economic stressor had negative associations with depressive tendencies. With respect to stress coping, positive problem solving had a positive association with depressive tendencies, whereas escape–avoidance had a negative association with depressive tendencies. Conclusions For older individuals, the more complex the overlapping chronic stressors that are experienced, the higher the depressive tendencies. Furthermore, although older individuals selectively use various coping strategies, they do not alleviate the stress responses induced by chronic stressors. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 297–303.

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