Chapter 6 Part 2

Question 1

Life events =

Answer 1

life experiences = internal or external stimuli that cause changes in people’s lives; they can have positive & negative effects

Question 2

On-time events correspond to

while off-time events

Answer 2

specific stages of a life cycle

are unexpected

Question 3

Stressful events are

Answer 3

subjective experiences, due to one’s cognitive appraisal, which is the way in which a person perceives the importance and significance of an event. So, the personal meaning assigned by a person to an event is crucial

Question 4

Life change units are represented by

Answer 4

a number that indicates the typical stress level or change level assigned by a person to a particular event

Question 5

The anticipation of an event is

Answer 5

> stressful than the event

Question 6

For many people, stress =

Answer 6

chronic daily hassles (e.g., regrets over past decisions, worries, loneliness, lack of energy)

Question 7

Research is needed regarding

Answer 7

the impact on older adults of events that never happen (e.g., never moving to a retirement home but anticipating it and being afraid of it)

Question 8

Coping =

Answer 8

way in which people respond to stress

Question 9

Coping styles vary: some are

Answer 9

are > passive, others are > instrumental (e.g., learning new skills to solve problems)

Question 10

Problem-focused coping =

Answer 10

seeking advice, problem-solving

Question 11

Emotion-focused coping =

Answer 11

focuses on dealing only with the emotional stress created by a problem (e.g., using alcohol)

Question 12

Internal locus of control =

Answer 12

belief that a person can control own life = related to successful coping in any age

Question 13

Defense mechanisms =

Answer 13

unconscious reactions that protect people from things that challenge ones’ identity = can be primitive or mature

Question 14

Religious coping by older adults is

Answer 14

strong in several cultures

Question 15

Acceptance of changes =

Answer 15

most adaptive coping response

Question 16

Successful aging =

Answer 16

a combination of: a) physical health, b) functional health, c) high cognitive functioning, and d) active involvement in society

Question 17

Robust aging is characterized by:

Answer 17

a) absence of depressive symptoms, b) no cognitive impairment, c) productive involvement, and d) high physical functioning

Question 18

Depression =

Answer 18

symptoms last > 6 months = most common emotional disorder for older adults (15-25%), can be:
a) unipolar, or b) bipolar (depressed & manic/hypomanic states)

Question 19

Many role losses

Answer 19

multiply with advanced age

Question 20

Masked depression =

Answer 20

few mood changes, but > somatic complaints, memory problems & social isolation

Question 21

Main problem =

Answer 21

lack of criteria for late-life psychopathology