Worry themes and tendency to worry in older adults

The present study examines worry themes and the tendency to worry in older adults. The sample, which is made up of 162 participants, is divided into t hree groups. The first group includes 47 participants aged from 55 to 64 ye ars old (the youngest subjects). The second group consists of 56 participan ts aged from 65 to 74 years old. Finally, the third group includes 59 parti cipants who are 75 years old or older (the oldest subjects). Participants c ompleted the Worry and Anxiety Questionnaire, the Worry Domains Questionnai re for Older Adults and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. For all subject s combined, the most frequently reported worry theme was health, followed b y relationships with family and friends. The results show that participants in group 1 (the youngest subjects) worry more about their future, work and finances than those in the other two groups The results also show that par ticipants in the first two groups have a greater tendency to worry and repo rt a greater number of worries than those in the third group (the oldest su bjects). The study's findings are discussed in light of current knowledge o f worry among the elderly.