Coping with the stress of medical problems among black and white elderly.

This is a preliminary study looking at the coping responses of a group of black and white urban elderly women to the stressful event of a medical problem. Cognitive and active coping responses, as well as social support, were explored. Findings revealed these women were similar in many of the ways in which they responded to the stress of medical problems. However, there were some definite racial differences. These included level of social support, use of prayer in coping, and use of nonprescription drugs; the black elderly engaged in these latter behaviors more frequently.