Coping Strategies and Life Challenges among Older Adults in Uttarakhand: A Gender and Socio-Economic Analysis

This study examines the coping strategies employed by older adults aged 55 years and above in navigating the complex challenges of later life, with particular attention to the roles of gender and socio-economic status. Conducted across the districts of Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, and Chamoli in Uttarakhand, the research engaged a purposive sample of 150 participants, equally stratified by gender and socio-economic background. Data were collected using the Coping Strategies Scale and the Adult Challenges Scale within a descriptive–correlational design. Analysis revealed that women experienced greater emotional, health-related, and interpersonal difficulties, while men predominantly adopted problem-focused coping strategies. Middle socio-economic groups displayed higher use of adaptive coping methods, whereas lower socio-economic participants encountered more severe financial and health-related challenges and relied less on problem-focused strategies. A significant positive correlation between adaptive coping and effective challenge management underscored the critical role of coping mechanisms in promoting resilience and psychological well-being. The findings highlight the necessity of gender-sensitive, socio-economically inclusive, and regionally tailored interventions to foster dignified and healthy ageing among Uttarakhand’s older population.