Publication:

A descriptive study on correlates of stress and coping in relation to demographic variables in retirees of Kashmir valley

Background As age develops in employees, they have to get retirement from job permanently or they have to reach their retirement period. Studies on adjustment at retirement report that one-thirds of adults report significant difficulty during this process. This study was carried out to correlate stress and coping among old age retirees in relation to sociodemographic variables.

Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 retirees of district Srinagar between June 2015 and June 2016, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Levels of Stress among elderly retirees and their coping were assessed. Correlates of stress and coping were assessed with respect to different sociodemographic variables.

Results Nearly 40% of cases had moderate level, 03% had severe level, 04% had extremely severe level, and around 35% had no stress. Majority of retired employees 85% either used average level, or used good level of coping with a minority 10% using low level of coping. There was a significant positive correlation between the stress and gender, stress and education and stress and years of experience. However there was statistically no significance between coping and demographic variables.

Conclusions There is a need for organized family and social support to improve the physical and psychological health of elderly.