Coping strategies used by the elderly regarding aging and death: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to identify and synthesize studies that approach the coping strategies used by the elderly to deal with aging and death. Method: an integrative review was performed in seven databases with the following descriptors: psychological adaptation, the elderly, death and aging. Results: 73 articles were identified. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles that identified multiple losses experienced by the elderly and included coping strategies were selected and analyzed. The main losses were: loss of health; physical capacity and functionality; loss in quality of emotional relationships; death of loved ones; reduced social integration; fewer material goods; financial loss; lower cognitive resources; lower perceived mastery; loss of feeling useful; reduction in subjective well-being and quality of life. We also identified the following coping strategies used to deal with losses related to aging and finitude: anticipated grieving; wish to die; isolation; submission; negotiation; acceptance; accommodation; support seeking; living in the moment; seeking spiritual comfort. Conclusion: the elderly experience aging and finitude with coping strategies that can generate both unfavorable and favorable health outcomes. In this context, some coped through anticipated mourning and the desire to die, while others looked for spiritual comfort, social support and acceptance.

Mental health profile of the elderly community: a cross-sectional study

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“…Although depression is among the diseases that most affect the mental health of the elderly, the results of the present study showed that the higher the total score of depressive symptoms, the lower the total MMSE score, thus the greater the cognitive deficit. Although depression is a disabling mental disorder responsible for the loss of autonomy, functionality and aggravation of other disorders, and directly affects the quality of life, it is still underdiagnosed because health professionals believe that their symptoms are typical of aging (27,35) .…”

Fear of COVID 19 Infection Across Different Cohorts: A Scoping Review

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Religiosidad, espiritualidad y calidad de vida en familiares de pacientes de oncología pediatrica en un hospital de referencia en el noreste de Brasil

“…Sin embargo, esta búsqueda es tan intensa que a menudo terminan rindiendo toda resolución del problema al poder de lo divino, ya que están tan agotados debido al proceso de envejecimiento en sí y sus consecuencias. Por lo tanto, al evaluar el afrontamiento de R/E a través del afrontamiento de esta investigación, se notó que las personas mayores de 50 años presentaban una mayor posición negativa hacia Dios, transfiriendo toda la responsabilidad de curar la enfermedad, sin ningún esfuerzo (22,23) .…”