Question

Compare and contrast the personality traits of two older adults - one who copes well with the challenges of aging and the other who does not cope well with these losses.

Answer 1

The personality traits of older adults who copes well with the challenges of aging based on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale indicates despite of stress in life they have a low score on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale as they have less vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses. They maintain a stable identity and positive self-esteem in old age. They have a control over the life span leading to coping. Due to their healthy lifestyle they delay disability. However in the case of older adults who do not cope well with the challenges of aging based, the higher amount of stress for both positive and negative events that cause in the lives of those people. Higher scores on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale are associated with increased vulnerability to both physical and mental illnesses (Derogatis & Coons, 1993). They have less control over their life, have an unhealthy lifestyle that leads to onset of age related chronic disorders and disability.