Browsing by Subject "coping"

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, emotional well-being, and coping strategies of older adults in Aotearoa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology with endorsement in Health Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2022) Kaur, Navneet
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures were recognized to be avenues of stress and adversely impacted emotional well-being. The current study aimed to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as being stressful and whether it impacted the coping strategies (social support, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking) and emotional well-being (experience of depression and anxiety) among older adults in Aotearoa. The study also intended to examine whether coping strategies moderated the relationship between stress and emotional well-being. Longitudinal data collected from 3275 participants (M = 68.1 years) as part of the Health, Work, and Retirement study's 2018 and 2020 biennial surveys was utilized. The perception of stress was evaluated through analyzing the subjective responses in 2020 survey, paired T-tests were used to identify changes in coping and emotional well-being and hierarchical regression was utilized for moderation analysis. The results highlighted that older adults perceived COVID-19 as a source of stress; however, it was on the low spectrum. No statistically significant changes were detected among coping strategies and emotional well-being before and after the pandemic. All four coping strategies moderated the relationship between stress and emotional well-being with social support significantly exerting a protective effect even against high-stress levels during the global pandemic. These findings align with the wider literature in suggesting that support from social networks can potentially buffer against the stress. The inclusion of provisions through which social support can be enhanced and maintained during a pandemic might be a valuable addition to the broader policy framework.
"Where did I park my car?" How do older adults cope with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment
(16/11/2011) McKinlay AR; Leathem JM; Merrick PL
Background: This presentation will background a New Zealand based research study to be conducted this year focusing on how people cope with and adjust to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This area of research is important because as a person reaches older age, their chances of developing a certain set of age related illnesses, such as dementia and cognitive impairment increases (Larson, 2010; Coulson et al., 2005; Hughes & Heycox, 2010). At the same time, the number of adults aged 65 and over is set to increase at levels unseen in Western Society to date in coming years. By 2050, the world's population of older adults is estimated to reach over 22% in its entirety, which roughly equates to a staggering 1 and a quarter billion people (Lloyd-Sherlock, 2010). Adjusting to and coping with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment can be difficult and is comparable to receiving a diagnosis of other chronic diseases (Preston, Marshall & Bucks, 2007). Some report depression, anxiety and other psychological reactions following their dementia diagnosis (Carpenter et al., 2008). Current literature to date is divided on how people react psychologically to knowing that they have a progressive cognitive impairment, and much of the research has overlooked the issue of MCI and the associated reactions to this diagnosis.