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Frailty in aging and its influence on perceived stress exposure and stress-related symptoms: evidence from the Swiss Vivre/Leben/Vivere study

Author

Listed:
  • Olivier Desrichard

    (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives
    University of Geneva)

  • Fanny Vallet

    (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives
    University of Geneva
    University of Geneva)

  • Stefan Agrigoroaei

    (Université catholique de Louvain)

  • Delphine Fagot

    (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives
    University of Geneva)

  • Dario Spini

    (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES - Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives
    University of Lausanne)

Abstract

Frailty is a core concept in understanding vulnerability and adjustment to stress in older adults. Adopting the perspective provided by the transactional model of stress and coping (Lazarus and Folkman in Stress, appraisal, and coping, Springer, New York, 1984), the present study examined three aspects of frailty in older adults: (1) the link between frailty and perceived stress exposure (PSE); (2) the link between frailty and stress-related symptoms (SRS); and (3) the role of frailty in the link between PSE and SRS. Participants were 2711 adults aged between 64 and 101 years who were taking part in the Swiss Vivre/Leben/Vivere study. As well as assessing frailty, we measured PSE and SRS during the 4 weeks preceding the administration of the questionnaires, together with the covariates age, sex, educational attainment, language of the canton, and type of canton (urban vs. rural). Regression analyses revealed higher levels of PSE in frail older adults than in non-frail older adults. In addition, frail older adults reported more SRS than non-frail older adults. As expected, the association between PSE and SRS differed as a function of the frailty status: The positive relation between PSE and SRS being stronger for frail older adults than for non-frail older adults. These results suggest that frailty is related to perceived discrepancy between resources and demands, and to ability to cope with PSE. Our findings have implications for interventions to help frail older adults manage stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Desrichard & Fanny Vallet & Stefan Agrigoroaei & Delphine Fagot & Dario Spini, 2018. "Frailty in aging and its influence on perceived stress exposure and stress-related symptoms: evidence from the Swiss Vivre/Leben/Vivere study," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 331-338, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:15:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10433-017-0451-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-017-0451-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Izaro Esain & Susana María Gil & Iratxe Duñabeitia & Ana Rodriguez-Larrad & Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona, 2021. "Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Who Regularly Exercise," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, March.

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