STRESS, COPING STRATEGIES AND RESILIENCE IN DIFFERENT LIFE PERIODS: PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF IDEAS ABOUT AGE ADAPTATION

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological dynamics of stress, coping strategies, and resilience across different stages of adulthood. The primary objective was to identify how stress levels, methods of coping, and resilience vary according to age. Empirical data were collected from participants divided into three age groups: 25–34 (young adults), 35–45 (middleaged adults), and 46–55 (older middle-aged adults). The findings show that the highest stress levels were reported in the 35–45 age group, likely due to heightened social responsibilities, work-family balance challenges, and professional demands. In contrast, younger participants showed lower stress levels and greater emotional flexibility, while older adults displayed the highest resilience scores, attributed to accumulated life experience and established coping mechanisms. The study also highlights that coping strategies differ significantly by age. Younger adults were more inclined to use emotion-focused coping, such as seeking social support or avoidance. Middle-aged participants favored problem-focused strategies, actively seeking solutions to stressors. Older respondents relied more on acceptance and cognitive reappraisal. These variations suggest that adaptive responses to crises are shaped not only by situational factors but also by agerelated psychological resources and social roles. The findings underscore the importance of developing age-sensitive psychological support programs, as the effectiveness of stress management and adaptation varies substantially across the life span. The study also points to the psychological vulnerability of participants, particularly in terms of anxiety and frustration, while also highlighting a general tendency toward emotional restraint and behavioral rigidity in the face of adversity.