ADAPTATION TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION AMONG THE AGING: COPING PATTERNS AND MORALE.
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1984
Number of pages: 196
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: This study examined the relationship between coping responses and adaptation, measured as morale, in an institutionalized aging population. Two sub questions were: (1) what coping responses did the institutionalized aging report using in adapting to institutionalization? and (2) what were the major patterns of coping responses used?.

The non probability sample of eighty-one males, all of whom were fifty-three years of age or older, cognitively intact and able to speak and understand English, was obtained at domiciliary facilities located in two medium-sized towns in a rural region of northern Michigan. Subjects were selected sequentially as they met the criteria for selection.

Two standardized instruments, the Ways of Coping Inventory and the revised edition of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, as well as three subjective ratings of health, perception of stressors, and appraisal of stress were completed via an interview schedule.

Statistical analysis provided information for each of the research questions. All institutionalized aging reported using both problem focused and emotion focused coping responses in adapting to institutionalization. The major patterns of coping responses used were those in which persons were classified in the same way on both problem focused and emotion focused coping. There was shown to be a negative correlation between total coping responses, emotion focused coping responses and morale, on all indices. There were significant mean differences on total morale, agitation factor and lonely dissatisfaction factor across coping patterns. Significantly different coping pattern scores were identified for the agitation and lonely dissatisfaction factors. The variables found to be the most predictive of morale were self-rated health, emotion coping responses, coping pattern I (predominantly emotion focused coping) and coping pattern III (high level of both coping functions).
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-04, Section: B, page: 1154.

Thesis (D.N.SC.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1984.

School code: 0017.