Using the SHiPA with the elderly: a person-centered approach

Qualitative differences in control, distance and relationship with other people were examined using multidimensional and configurational analyses with data from the SHiPA. The SHiPA, developed by Bouisson (2005), contributes to inform on psychological functioning the elderly, using open responses, no limited into choices, and assesses some aspects of distress and adaptative resources in common daily life events that are frequently causes of difficulties. Based on scores in differential weighting of SHiPA dimensions, multivariate analyses revealed five psychological functioning profiles, characterized by anxiety, depression, cognition, internality, satisfaction with life, and routinization levels. Analyse of the differences between SHiPA profiles suggested a first discrimination depending on the individuals, psychological resources level, and the situation of subjects in third and fourth age.