Increasing Older Adults’ Use of Positive Reappraisal Coping for Chronic Physical Illness

Abstract

Positive reappraisal, a cognitive emotion regulation strategy of identifying personally relevant positive meaning following a stressor, has been demonstrated to be particularly relevant for older adults. However, research has not examined whether this strategy can be taught to older adults to facilitate coping. We examined whether we could increase chronically ill older adults’ use of positive reappraisal and whether it was associated with increased positive emotion and reduced distress. Twenty-six community-dwelling older adults with a current medically diagnosed chronic physical illness perceived to be at least moderately stressful were taught to use positive reappraisal. Participants reported increased positive reappraisal use and emotional well-being, indicating that positive reappraisal can be taught to chronically ill older adults to facilitate coping.