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Life Events and the Elderly: A Study of Incidence, Structure, Stability, and Impact

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

M.J. Stones  and
Albert Kozma
M.J. Stones
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Albert Kozma
Affiliation:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Abstract

Responses to a Life Events Schedule were obtained from 408 elderly respondents at both phases of an 18-month longitudinal investigation. Sixteen items were identified with an incidence exceeding 5% at both phases. These items were found to be structurally unrelated. Temporal stability coefficients that were statistically significant, but generally of low magnitude, were obtained for a greater proportion of the usual stressors than for the less frequently endorsed items. The reasons for stability were suggested to be multifarious. Statistically significant correlations with happiness were obtained for few stress items. The items exhibiting correlations at both phases were associated with high incidences, and the direction of the correlations varied with the direction of stress (i.e., positive or negative).

Résumé

Quatre cent huit répondants ont fourni des rèponses à un questionnaire sur les événements de la vie (Life Event Schedule) au cours des deux phases d'une étude longitudinale d'une durée de 18 mois. Seize item d'une incidence de 5% ont été identifiés au cours de chaque phase. Les facteurs de stress habituels ont fourni des indices de stabilité temporelle statistiquement significatifs bien que peu élevés dans une proportion plus élevée que les facteurs signales moins souvent. La motivation de cette stabilité semble diversifiée. Quelques facteurs de stress sont fourni des corrélations significatives avec le sentiment de bonheur. Au cours de chaque phase, le degré de corrélation est associé à une incidence élevée et la direction coincide avec la direction du stress (positif ou négatif).

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 3 , Issue 4 , December 1984 , pp. 193 - 198
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1984

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References

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