Elderly Perceived Stress: The Predictive role of Spiritual Well-Being, Coping Strategies, and Sense of Cohesion

Mental and health-related stressors are exacerbated with age. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of spiritual well-being, coping strategies, and sense of cohesion in predicting perceived stress in the elderly.

The research method was analytical and correlational. The statistical population of this study was all the elderly in elderly home of Mandegaran and Ata in Ardabil city in 2018, out of whom 120 were selected by purposeful sampling based on entry criteria. Data collection tools included perceived stress scale, spiritual well-being questionnaire, coping strategies questionnaire, and 13-item cohesion sense questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression.

There was a negative and significant relationship between the perceived stress of elderly with spiritual well-being (β=-0/110: p<0/004), problem-based coping strategy (β=-0/152: p<0/001), sense of cohesion (β=-0/176: p<0/008) and positive and significant relationship with negative religious coping (β=0/131: p<0/017). Spiritual well-being, coping strategies, and sense of cohesion predicted 68% of the variance in perceived stress scores of elderly (p<0/01).

According to the findings, spiritual well-being, coping strategies, and sense of cohesion are associated with the perceived stress of elderly and can explain how the elderly behave. Therefore, educating elderly to empower them in these areas is recommended.