Stress and the Devaluation of Highly Salient Roles in Late Life

OBJECTIVE: To see whether older adults cope with stress in highly salient roles by devaluing the importance of the role in which the event emerged. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with a nationally representative sample of elderly people at two points in time: 1992-1993 and 1996-1997. Complete data are available for 589 older adults. Respondents were asked to identify which of eight roles they value most highly at both points in time. Information on the number of stressful events arising in each role was also obtained. RESULTS: The findings indicate that elderly people are less likely to devalue highly salient roles when stressful events are encountered in them. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that instead of turning away from highly cherished roles when stressful life events arise, older adult may become more committed to them.