Life Problems and Coping Strategies of Older Black Adults

The distribution and attributes of self-reported personal life problems—such as health, money, and family—found among a sample of 581 black adults aged 55 years and older were examined. Most respondents indicated that they had experienced at least one such problem and identified problems in the areas of health and finances as the most significant. Multivariate findings for problem characteristics indicated that older people had fewer reported life problems, that women and persons with lower incomes reported high levels of distress from identified problems, and that men and persons with health problems experienced longer problem duration. Demographic factors were unrelated to use of coping response, but significant problem type differences occurred in coping strategy choice. These results suggest that life problems are a significant concern to older black adults and highlight the use of different coping strategies in response to these difficulties.