The Coping Strategies of Senior Citizens in Managing the Challenges of Aging
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22901802Keywords:
Senior citizens, aging challenges, coping strategies, family support, spirituality, resilienceAbstract
This study explores the coping strategies of senior citizens in managing the challenges of aging, using a qualitative design with thematic analysis. Conducted in Barangay Nambaran with 20 elderly participants, the research draws from their real-life experiences of physical decline, memory and sensory problems, emotional distress, and financial limitations. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, and themes were identified from their narratives. Findings show that seniors cope in three main ways: personal efforts such as walking, gardening, storytelling, and maintaining a positive outlook; support from others including family assistance with daily tasks and peer group interaction to reduce loneliness; and community resources such as barangay health services, pensions, and faith-based activities that provide comfort and strength. Among these, family support, spirituality, staying active, and following medical advice were found to be the most effective in improving quality of life. While community programs and pensions help, limited healthcare access and financial constraints remain barriers. Overall, the study highlights the resilience of senior citizens and emphasizes the importance of family ties, faith, health practices, and community support in promoting well-being and happiness in later life.
Downloads
References
Adedeji, A., Adeniji, A., & Olajide, O. (2023). Coping mechanisms among older adults: A qualitative study.
Aldwin, C., Choun, S., & Spiro, A. (2024). The coping, appraisal, and resilience in aging (CARA) model: Longitudinal findings from the Normative Aging Study. Psychology and Aging, 39(8), 884–896. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000863
Algorani, E. B., & Gupta, V. (2023, April 24). Coping. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559199/
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Resources and publications related to aging. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/publications
Carandang, R. R., Asis, E., Shibanuma, A., Kiriya, J., Murayama, H., & Jimba, M. (2019). Unmet needs and coping mechanisms among community-dwelling senior citizens in the Philippines: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 3745. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193745
Chen, F. R., Gupta, N., & Zhang, F. (2020). Social ties as coping mechanisms in later life: Family and friendship ties in diverse settings. Journal of Aging Studies, 55, 100891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2020.100891
Chen, Y., Gupta, V., & Zhang, L. (2020). Social ties and coping in later life: Symposium findings from China, Singapore, and the U.S. Symposium proceedings.
Galiana, L., Sancho, P., et al. (2020). Coping strategies and psychological well-being in the elderly: A structural modeling approach.
González-González, E., & Requena, C. (2023). Self-care interventions of community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1254172. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1254172
Health Care Access and Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Senior Citizens in the Philippines. (2024). International Journal of Community Health.
Kearney, C. (2020). Psychological resilience and coping in later life. Journal of Aging Studies, 34(3), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2020.210225
Knight, B. G., & Poon, L. W. (2008). Contextual influences on coping with late-life stressors. In C. M. Aldwin, C. L. Park, & A. Spiro (Eds.), Handbook of health psychology and aging (pp. 403–422). Guilford Press.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing.
López, R., Sánchez, M., & Cruz, A. (2021). Relationship of coping strategies and quality of life: The mediating roles of resilience and social participation among older adults. Journal of Gerontological Research, 12(2), 45–58.
Murat, H. (2022). Community support systems and early interventions for elderly well-being. Asian Journal of Social Gerontology, 8(4), 145–160.
Palma, T. A. D., & Magat, M. S. (2023). Prevalence of anxiety among senior citizens during the pandemic in Partido District of Camarines Sur, Philippines. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 10(11), 262–271.
Palmes, M. A., Tolentino, J. M., & Dizon, J. M. (2021). Relationship of coping strategies and quality of life: Parallel and serial mediating role of resilience and social participation among older adults in Western Philippines. WVSU Repository.
Palmes, M. S., Trajera, S. M., & Ching, G. S. (2021). Relationship of coping strategies and quality of life: Parallel and serial mediating role of resilience and social participation among older adults in Western Philippines. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10006. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910006
Parial, L. L. B. (2024). Establishing age-friendly communities in the Philippines: The need to empower senior citizens beyond the “CARD.” Acta Medica Philippina, 58(15).
Ross, S. D., Hofbauer, L. M., & Rodriguez, F. S. (2022). Coping strategies for memory problems in everyday life of people with cognitive impairment and older adults: A systematic review. Geriatric Psychiatry, 41(6), 903–920. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5590
Saragcon, S. V., & Eden, J. J. (2026). Aging with resilience: Lived experiences, health transitions, and financial challenges of retirees in the Philippines. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 4(2), 285–292. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.767
Singh, P., & Villanueva, L. (2025). Coping with limited means: A case study on the expenditure patterns of senior citizens in Barangay Buayan, General Santos City. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(1), 33–49.
Steinert, A., & Haesner, M. (2018). Stressors, symptoms, and coping strategies in retired adults. Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung, 61(12), 1510–1518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-018-2820-5
Stephenson, E., & DeLongis, A. (2020). Coping strategies. In The Wiley Encyclopedia of Health Psychology (pp. 55–60). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119057840.ch50
Wikipedia contributors. (2022, August). Coping (psychology). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coping_(psychology)
Wrosch, C., & Schulz, R. (2008). Health and emotional well-being among older adults: The role of goals and purpose in life. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63(6), P338–P345. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/63.6.P338
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
