Coping with Conflict: Measurement of Age-Related Patterns

The Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), having breadth of response with brevity of measurement, was developed to provide an age relevant measure of coping responses to specified stress situations. In an age-stratified sample of mid-life adults, age and sex differences were found in specific coping patterns used to alter the interpersonal conflict situation and related stress. The identification of coping strategies that can be differentiated according to age and sex specificity will facilitate the testing of appropriate interventions relevant to these strategies.