Assessment of Level of Stress and Coping Strategies among Institutionalized V/S Non-Institutionalized Elderly Residing in Selected Urban Community

Abstract

Long life is a sign of good health; and aging is a natural process that influences the individual, family and society in different ways. Ageing is not disease but the final stage of normal life. The ageing of the world’s population in developing and developed countries is an indicator of improving global health. Two types of stressors: life events observed through the quality of non- normative change and chronic stressors rooted in institutionalized roles. Both types of stress are of critical concern for elderly adults; however, chronic stressors, and their relationship to institutionalized roles, are especially important considerations because many elderly adults experience more stressors, perceive higher levels of stress, and have fewer effective coping responses available to them than do adults at other times of life.

The research methodology adopted for the study employed a quantitative research approach. The research design adopted for the present study was a Descriptive comparative research design. Which was based on health belief model (HBM). The study's accessible population was made up institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people of city. A single group comprising 200 samples  was selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique by the inclusion criteria. The tool includes a demographic data tool and structured questionnaire designed to assess the Modified Likert scale and Self-structured coping strategies scale to assess the level of stress among institutionalized and non-institutionalized  elderly.

Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis. The two sample z-test is used for the comparison of stress and coping among institutionalized v\s no-institutionalized elderly residing in selected urban community. The stress score among institutionalized elderly was significantly higher than that among non-institutionalized elderly. The coping score among institutionalized elderly was significantly lower than that among non-institutionalized elderly.

Results: Among institutionalized elderly, 37% had mild stress (score 10-23) and 63% of them had  moderate stress (score 24-37). Among non-institutionalized elderly, 50% had mild stress (score 10-23) and 50% of them  had moderate stress (Score 24-37). 96% of the institutionalized elderly had average coping (score 36-55) and 4% of them had good coping (score 56-75). 64% of the non-institutionalized elderly had average coping (score 36-55) and 36% of them had good coping (score 56-75).

37% the institutionalized elderly had mild stress (Score 10-23) and 63% of them had moderate stress (score 24-37). 50% of the non-institutionalized elderly had mild stress (score 10-23) and 50% of them had moderate stress (Score 24-37). This indicates that the institutionalized elderly had more stress as compared to non-institutionalized elderly.

Average stress score among institutionalized elderly was 24.3 which was 23.1 among no-institutionalized elderly. Z-value for this test was 2.7. Corresponding p-value was small (less than 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected. The stress score among institutionalized elderly was significantly higher than that among no-institutionalized elderly. Average coping score among institutionalized elderly was 47.3 which was 51.7 among no-institutionalized elderly. Z-value for this test was 5.8. Corresponding p-value was small (less than 0.05), the null hypothesis is rejected. The coping score among institutionalized elderly was significantly lower than that among no-institutionalized elderly.