Coping Strategies Used by Late-Midlife and Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2024

Coping Strategies Used by Older Adults During COVID-19

Sample size: 235 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kurth Maria, Igarashi Heidi, Aldwin Carolyn

Primary Institution: The Pennsylvania State University

Hypothesis

Older adults use more adaptive coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to younger adults.

Conclusion

Older adults reported better mental health than younger adults during the pandemic, likely due to their use of adaptive coping strategies.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older adults used more adaptive coping strategies like positive reappraisal.
  • 93% of participants responded to the coping question.
  • Problem-focused coping was positively correlated with trait resilience.

Takeaway

Older people found better ways to handle stress during COVID-19 than younger people, which helped them feel better.

Methodology

Open-ended responses from an online survey were analyzed using a directed content analysis.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on adults in Oregon, which may limit generalizability.

Participant Demographics

Participants were adults aged 50 and older, with a mean age of 71.27.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2328

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