title: Age differences in coping resources and satisfaction with life among middle-aged, young-old, and oldest-old adults.
abstract: The authors examined age differences in perceived coping resources and satisfaction with life across 3 older-adult age groups (45-64, 65-74, and 75 years and older). The 98 participants represented healthy, socially active, community-residing adults. Group comparisons were made on 12 individual coping scales, and an overall coping resource effectiveness score was computed. No significant differences were found for 11 of the coping resources or for overall coping resource effectiveness. Similar consistencies in life satisfaction were found across the 3 age groups. The findings indicate that (a) for healthy adults, the oldest old cope at least as effectively as their younger counterparts, despite their likelihood of encountering increased levels of stress; and (b) psychologically, old age may be viewed as a time of resilience and fortitude.
authors.affiliation: Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA.
authors.forename: Errol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamarat
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Ferda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aysan
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matheny
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simons
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015144:Southeastern United States