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Research on Aging
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Stress, Strain, Coping, and Defense

Ross Stagner

Wayne State University

Discussions of stress, especially as this is relevant to aging, have been confused because of lack of uniformity in terminology. The history of stress research is briefly sketched to develop the concept of stress as an external event. Strain is proposed as a suitable term for the affective, physiological, and cognitive changes induced by stress. Although stress is always external, the degree of strain is moderated by the individual's perception of the stressor. Thus, "objective" lists of life-stress units have limited value. Coping has also been used in a variety of ways. It is proposed that coping be conceptualized as voluntary activity directed against the external stress or protecting the individual against the stress. Defense would then be restricted to unconscious changes which reduce the immediate strain without modifying the person-stressor relation-ship. Use of relaxation and desensitization as coping tactics for the elderly is evaluated favorably.

Research on Aging, Vol. 3, No. 1, 3-32 (1981)
DOI: 10.1177/016402758131001
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