Publication

Abstract : Objective: The objective of the study is to assess and compare the level of stress and coping strategies experienced by the institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Methods: A descriptive comparative research design and convenient sampling was used in this study, with this technique the researcher selected 70 sample from community (Nayarambalampanchayath) and 70 samples from two old age homes. Demographic Proforma, Sheldon Cohen Perceived Stress Scale and the Deakin Coping Scale were used to assess and compare the level of stress and level of coping. Result: Among institutionalized elderly people 18.6% are having no stress, 32.9% are having mild stress. 37.1% are having moderate stress and 11.4%are having severe stress .Among non institutionalized elderly 37.1% are having no stress,55.7% are having mild stress,7.1% are having moderate stress and none of them having severe stress. While considering level of coping among institutionalized elderly people 21.4% members coping strategies are not effective,50% are having effective coping strategies and 28.6 are having most effective coping strategies. Among institutionalized elderly 18.6 are having not effective coping strategies,62.9% are having effective coping strategies and 18.6% having most effective coping strategies. There is a significant correlation between stress and coping among institutionalized elderly. Conclusion: The feeling of loneliness along with the natural age related decline in physical and psychological functioning makes elderly prone to psychological disturbance,so institutionalized elderly feels more moderate and severe stress than non institutionalized elderly.