Assessment of stress and coping strategies among geriatric men and women in a selected rural area of Uttar Pradesh: a comparative study

Background: Stress and coping are significant determinants of psychological well-being among older adults. Geriatric men and women encounter various physical, psychological, and social challenges that may influence their stress and strategies. The present study was conducted to assess and compare the level of stress and coping strategies among geriatric men and women residing in a selected rural area of Uttar Pradesh. Methods: A quantitative research approach with a descriptive comparative study design was adopted. A total of 200 participants, including 100 geriatric men and 100 geriatric women, were selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through the interview technique using a structured interview schedule, through the perceived stress scale (PSS-10), and the brief COPE Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The findings showed that the majority of geriatric men (88%) and women (81%) had moderate levels of perceived stress. Geriatric women demonstrated significantly higher stress scores than geriatric men (p=0.039). Significant differences were observed in problem-focused coping (p=0.001) and avoidant coping (p=0.018), whereas emotion-focused coping did not differ significantly between the two groups (p=0.775). Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive mental health interventions, early identification of stress, and promotion of effective coping strategies to improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of geriatric population in rural areas.