Perceiving the stressfulness of own life situation in the dependent old - a resource perspective

This contribution is aimed to put forward the theoretical position that gen eral perceptions of stressfulness in the actual life situation do not simpl y reflect concrete episodes. experiences and events, but are at least in pa rt result of former coping processes, initiated to maintain or (re-)establi sh a personal satisfying perspective on life In a first step we describe st ressful episodes, experiences and events in the actual life situation of 15 0 dependent old. In the following parts the relationship between an objecti ve measure of stress and perceptions of stressfulness in actual life situat ion, the impact of the quality of medical treatment and social services on this relationship, and proposals for a possible improvement of medical trea tment and social services are discussed. Results do confirm our hypothesis that quality of medical treatment and social services can be conceptualized as a personal resource buffering the impact of specific episodes, experien ces and events on general perceptions of stressfulness.