[Coping with conflicts and stresses by various age groups].

Abstract

This analysis deals with conflicts and stress in different age groups on the basis of a differential life-span developmental psychology. The conflict situations of 101 persons out of four different age groups (between 30 and 70) are compared with the issues of a study by Lehr and Thomae (1965). Although there are corresponding results according to the frequency and the themes of stress situations, we find differences which can be connected with, for example, changed points of view concerning the male/female roles, historical influences as well as social and political transformations. Furthermore, this analysis investigates how the clients cope with their immediate intrapersonal conflict. Different coping styles can be found and compared within the four age groups.