Introduction:

Older adults are considered a vulnerable population because of their constant exposure to Life Stressful Events, including those which provoke anguish, concern, and distress, and which, if not adequately addressed, could even become a more complex health problem. The answer to this situation could be the Salutogenic Model and its main construct-Sense of Coherence-which supports the individual to face stress and reach a state of health. Nevertheless, a consensus has not yet been achieved regarding the effects of using this model on older adults suffering from Life Stressful Events.

Objective:

To better understand the relationship between Life Stressful Events and the construct Sense of Coherence among older adults.

Method:

This is a descriptive and correlational study with probabilistic sampling and 108 older adults. The instruments used were a Stress in the Life of Older Adults Inventory, and a Questionnaire on Orientation Towards Life (Sense of Coherence - 13).

Results:

77.8% participants were female. The most frequently experienced stressful events during the last 12 months were: memory deterioration (54.6%) and anguish due to lesions of illnesses (50%). A Simple Regression Model revealed that Sense of Coherence was a negative predictor of Life Stressful Events (β = -.652, p = .001).

Conclusion:

Using the construct Sense of Coherence can help older adults understand and manage their Life Stressful Events so that they can perceive their environment as less threatening.