How do older adults understand and manage distress? A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Distress is an expected emotional response to a negative life event. Experiences common in later life may trigger distress such as bereavement or loss of physical mobility. Distress is considered to be distinct to anxiety and/or depression and is not diagnostically labelled as a mental health problem. Older adults will often manage their own distress. Previous literature has focused on how younger adults self-manage mental health problems, however little research has explored the self-management strategies used by older people. There is a need to clarify the role of primary care in the context of distressed older adults who may consult healthcare services. This study seeks to address these gaps through qualitative methods.

Methods

Keele University's ethical review

SUBMITTER: Moult A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7199345 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature