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Research on Aging, Vol. 5, No. 2, 235-268 (1983)
DOI: 10.1177/0164027583005002006

Sex Differences in Stress, Coping Resources, and Illness among the Elderly

Gale E. West

Iowa State University

Ronald L. Simons

Iowa State University

Since studies have found only a modest relationship between life change and illness, researchers have begun to study "coping resources" that facilitate adjustment to life events. Only two studies have examined their effects on the elderly, and these suggest that coping resources for younger age groups may not serve this function for the elderly. Using a sample of 299 elderly, this study examines the relationship between life change and illness for each sex to determine if elderly men and women differ in their vulnerability to life change stress and to identify differences in what serves as a coping resource. The results suggest that elderly women are more responsive to life changes. For women, marriage and self-efficacy were exacerbators; for men, having a confidant exacerbated illness. Resources functioning as coping facilitators for young age groups potentially function as coping inhibitors when related to the largely negative/uncontrollable events of old age. In addition, the sexes may differ in the factors that serve as coping resources.


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