Stressors arising in highly valued roles, meaning in life, and the physical health status of older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to see if stressors arising in highly valued roles affect health by eroding an older person's sense of meaning in life. A second goal is to assess whether emotional support provided by social network members helps offset the deleterious effects of stress on meaning and health.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted with a nationwide sample of older people. Survey items were administered to assess stressors in highly valued roles, meaning in life, and self-rated health.


RESULTS
The findings suggest that life events arising in roles that are valued highly are associated with less favorable health ratings. Moreover, the data reveal that stressors in highly valued roles affect health primarily by eroding an older person's sense of meaning in life. Finally, the results indicate that emotional support helps older people cope more effectively with stress by restoring their sense of meaning in life.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers have devised a number of interventions to improve the health of older people by enhancing the functioning of their social networks. These interventions have met with mixed success. The findings from the current study suggest that focusing on meaning in life may help researchers devise more effective interventions.
Krause
Neal
N
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. nkrause@umich.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological