[Cognitive appraisal, coping behavior, and social integration of centenarians].
Thomae's conceptualization of cognitive appraisal is tested in a mediation model of centenarian coping, adaptation, and social integration. Eight men and 32 women between 100 to 104 years were assessed with a semi-structured interview. On the basis of the interviews, indicators of functional health, cognitive appraisal, coping behavior, and social integration were rated. In addition, functional health was evaluated by observational methods, including a physician's rating. Testing of structural equation models indicated that cognitive appraisal is an important mediator between an emerging situation and the subsequent reactions in centenarians and that coping behavior is a substantial predictor of social integration. Even at the end of the human lifespan adaptational processes are generally efficient, albeit with some limitations. Similar to other adult age groups, very old adults use a variety of psychological processes to cope with tasks and stress.
Rott
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Deutsches Zentrum für Alternsforschung an der Universität Heidelberg, Bergheimer Str. 20, D-69115 Heidelberg. rott@dzfa.uni-heidelberg.de.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment