Coping strategies and adaptation for the disabled elderly in Taiwan

Hui Chuan Hsu, Ho Jui Tung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: This study explored the relationship between coping strategies and adaptation difficulties for the disabled elderly. Methods: Data were collected during face-to-face interviews with the physically disabled elderly in long-term care institutions and in rehabilitation departments in middle Taiwan. Totally, 505 persons were analyzed. The adaptation to disability was evaluated by health care, domestic environment, family relationships, social life and psychological distress as the dependent variables. Factor analysis and multiple regression models were applied for the analysis. Results: Three types of coping strategies were identified: (i) acceptance and action reduced the difficulty in adapting to disability in the health-care and social life dimensions; (ii) venting and avoidance increased the difficulty in adapting in the health-care, domestic environment and psychological distress dimensions; and (iii) seeking support was related to greater adapting to difficulty in terms of family relationships. Conclusion: More effective coping strategies should be offered to the disabled elderly to help them adapt to their disability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)488-495
Number of pages8
JournalGeriatrics and Gerontology International
Volume11
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 1 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptation
  • Coping behaviors
  • Disabled persons
  • Elderly

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Gerontology
  • Health(social science)

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