Coping Strategies and Quality of Life in Elderly Population

Abstract

The elderly represent a population group that requires a specific and integral approach that promotes its wellbeing and health. There are contextual factors experience during this life stage, such as the generation of diseases, which can influence negatively central aspects of life. One of the constructs that could be affected by these factors is the Quality of Life (QOL). The interaction between the contextual variables and QOL is mediated by the Coping Strategies (CS) that the individual applies to cope with the environmental challenges. The aim of this research was to analyze the differences in Quality of Life levels of the elderly, controlling for the type of Coping Strategies implemented. A transversal study was conducted, including a sample of 100 senior adults of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Ecuador. The participants signed a inform consent form and answered the Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento (Survey of Coping Strategies) and the FUMAT Scale for the evaluation of QOL. The mean age was 74.6 years (SD = 5.5), being 64% women. We observed percentages lower than 50% in all QOL dimensions, being the material wellbeing, the subscale with lower scores. The CS more frequently reported were the problem resolution, the desiderative thinking and the self-criticism. The participants that referred to use the emotional expression as a coping strategy presented higher levels of QOL. The Quality of Life in the elderly is influenced by contextual factors, being necessary to provide them with strategies that can be used to cope with the life challenges in a more effective and adaptive way.

Analysis Stressors, Coping Strategies, and their Effects on Quality of Life of the Elderly during the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…The results of the multiple linear regression test in this study found that coping strategies that focus on emotions positively affect the quality of life of the elderly. This is in line with the results of research conducted by León-Navarrete et al (2017) found that the elderly who tend to use emotion-focused coping strategies will have a better quality of life score than the elderly who use problem-focused coping strategies. Based on the results of research conducted by Rohmah, Purwaningsih, and Bariyah (2012) found the results that the factors that affect the quality of life of the elderly include physical factors, psychological factors, social factors, and environmental factors and the most influencing factors are psychological factors.…”

The Interplay Between Quality of Life and Resilience Factors in Later Life: A Network Analysis

“…Coping generally refers to the cognitive and behavioral efforts (e.g., emotion regulation and problem solving) implemented to modulate internal or external demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding personal resources ( Lazarus and Folkman, 1984 ; Endler and Parker, 1990 ; Garnefski et al, 2001 ). Adaptive coping skills are thought to be critical for adaptation at old age ( Gamrowska and Steuden, 2014 ; MacLeod et al, 2016 ) and have been associated with higher QoL ( Hildon et al, 2010 ; Rey and Extremera, 2016 ; León-Navarrete et al, 2017 ). Two recently developed instruments that capture various cognitive (emotion regulation) and behavioral coping strategies are the Positive Appraisal Style Scale (PASS) and the Behavioral Coping Scale (BCS).…”

Relationship of Coping Strategies and Quality of Life: Parallel and Serial Mediating Role of Resilience and Social Participation among Older Adults in Western Philippines

“…It is a dynamic distinctive characteristic that may change according to the contextual situation. Consequently, coping strategies, resilience, and social participation can be considered cognitive and behavioral tools that can help older adults cope with life changes resulting from aging [ 73 ]. Furthermore, according to the theory of activity for successful aging, to preserve old roles, one must have new roles to be discovered or new things must be innovated [ 74 ].…”