The Effects of Stressors and Coping on Depression of the Oldest Old

Abstract

Despite the rapid increase of the oldest old and their vulnerability to depression, few studies have addressed this issue in Korea. The present study investigated the impact of stressors and coping on depression among a sample of Korean oldest old. In particular, whether coping methods such as emotion-focused coping and problem-focused coping attenuate the influence of stressors(health problems, financial hardship, difficulties with family, widowhood) on depression were assessed. 205 community residing oldest old were include in the analysis. Hierarchical regression model was estimated by entering socio-demographics, stressors, coping, interaction terms between stressors and coping. Major findings were as follows. First, the mean score of depressive symptoms suggested that a significant number of the respondents were depressed. Second, greater stressors were strongly related to a high level of depression among the oldest old. Third, emotion-focused coping had a moderating effect on the influences of financial hardship, difficulties with families on depression. Based on the findings, some implications such as activating research and policy making focused on depression of the oldest old, understanding and developing emotion-focused coping behaviors by the oldest old to reduce harmful effect of stressors on depression were suggested.