DAILY HASSLES, PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS (HASSLES).
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 204
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.; Psychology, General.
Description: A survey of 127 community-residing older adults was conducted to investigate the relationship between hassles in daily living and psychological well-being. Problem solving was examined as a mediating variable that influences the impact of person-related and environment-related stressors on psychological well-being. The theoretical framework was based on Lazarus and Folkman's psychological stress and coping theory.

A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected from a non-probability convenience sample and examined using Pearson product-moment correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses. Research instruments used were the Daily Hassles Scale, Problem Solving Inventory, Psychological General Well-Being Schedule, and an investigator developed Background Data Form.

Most respondents were married and Caucasian, with a reported annual income of $10,000 to \$24,999. The mean age was 72.7 years.

Inverse relationships between psychological well-being and frequency of daily hassles (r = $-$.63, p =.000) and severity of daily hassles (r = $-$.48, p =.000) were obtained. A positive relationship between problem solving and psychological well-being (r = $-$.34, p =.000), and an inverse relationship between daily hassles and problem solving (r =.20, p =.023) were found. (Lower scores on the problem solving instrument indicated a higher level of problem solving; therefore, negative correlations reflected a positive relationship and positive correlations indicated a negative relationship.).

Frequency of daily hassles, problem solving, and severity of daily hassles contributed to the prediction of psychological well-being, accounting for 47% of the variance. Analysis of sociodemographic variables revealed that age and income contributed to the prediction of severity of daily hassles, explaining 7% of the variance. Education contributed to the prediction of psychological well-being, revealing a 3% coefficient of determination.

Findings suggest that nursing interventions focused on daily hassles and problem solving may promote psychological well-being in older adults. Implications for nursing practice may include interventions such as: examining daily hassles and past successes in problem solving, teaching the five step problem solving model, and reinforcing adaptive problem solving. Finally, data indicate that sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, income and education levels) may be useful in identifying clients who would benefit from nursing interventions designed to promote psychological well-being.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-05, Section: B, page: 2498.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1991.

School code: 0227.