Coping Strategies Among College Aged Students & Older Adults; A Model for Exploring intergenerational Differences

Start Date

23-4-2026 12:00 AM

Description

This study examines how coping strategies differ between college-aged students and older adults when responding to stress. Participants include Lindenwood University students enrolled in HFS 20500 and older adult community members participating in the WISE Cyber Seniors program. Using an anonymous Qualtrics survey, participants complete the Response to Stress Experience Scale (RSES), which measures spiritual, resiliency-based, and problem-solving coping strategies. The purpose of this research is to better understand how coping mechanisms vary across developmental stages and to identify patterns that may support mental health and well-being. It is hypothesized that older adults will report greater use of spiritually-based and resiliency-focused coping strategies, while college-aged students will report higher use of problem-solving strategies. This project also promotes civic engagement by fostering intergenerational interaction through a shared research experience. Findings from this study may contribute to developmental psychology research and inform targeted wellness programs for both younger and older populations. Results will be presented at the Lindenwood University Student Showcase, with the goal of increasing awareness of effective coping strategies across the lifespan.

Research Highlights

The Problem: Researchers examined how coping strategies differ between college-aged students and older adults when responding to stress, specifically investigating social support, avoidance, and problem-solving behaviors. 

The Method: A Psychology major conducted a survey study using the Coping Strategy Indicator - EMERGE survey (Amirkhan, 1990) to compare 11 Likert scale items among college students and older adults (60+) participating in the Cyber Seniors 8-week intergenerational technology initiative. 

Quantitative Finding: Older adults reported higher mean scores for social support (2.60) and problem-solving (2.80) compared to college-aged participants (2.0 and 2.45 respectively); college-aged participants scored higher in avoidance (1.55) than older adults (1.10); mean disparities between the groups were 0.60 for social support, 0.45 for avoidance, and 0.36 for problem-solving. 

Qualitative Finding: Older adults rely more heavily on "confiding fears/worries" and "thinking about what needs to be done," while college-aged students show a higher reliance on "watching television" as a coping mechanism; the findings suggest that the intergenerational nature of the Cyber Seniors program may influence these strategies, potentially contradicting previous literature regarding age-based problem-solving trends.

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Apr 23rd, 12:00 AM

Coping Strategies Among College Aged Students & Older Adults; A Model for Exploring intergenerational Differences

This study examines how coping strategies differ between college-aged students and older adults when responding to stress. Participants include Lindenwood University students enrolled in HFS 20500 and older adult community members participating in the WISE Cyber Seniors program. Using an anonymous Qualtrics survey, participants complete the Response to Stress Experience Scale (RSES), which measures spiritual, resiliency-based, and problem-solving coping strategies. The purpose of this research is to better understand how coping mechanisms vary across developmental stages and to identify patterns that may support mental health and well-being. It is hypothesized that older adults will report greater use of spiritually-based and resiliency-focused coping strategies, while college-aged students will report higher use of problem-solving strategies. This project also promotes civic engagement by fostering intergenerational interaction through a shared research experience. Findings from this study may contribute to developmental psychology research and inform targeted wellness programs for both younger and older populations. Results will be presented at the Lindenwood University Student Showcase, with the goal of increasing awareness of effective coping strategies across the lifespan.