Examples of Sources of Stressors in Adults and Aging Adults

VARIABLES INTRAPERSONAL INTERPERSONAL EXTRAPERSONAL

Physiological • Lack or imbalance of: • Transmission of infection (e.g. • Effects of sleep disturbance
-- Safety Nosocomial) • Safety/environmental risk factors:
-- Sexuality-reproductive pattern -- Mechanical
-- Circulation -- Electrical
-- Oxygenation -- Thermal
-- Elimination pattern -- Chemical
-- Sleep-rest pattern -- Adjunctive restrictive
-- Nutrition-metabolic pattern equipment
-- Activity/exercise pattern • Lack of easily accessed health
-- Comfort care
-- Fluid and Electrolytes
-- Sensory perception
• Traumatic injury
• Aging Organ Systems
• Chronic disease
• Examples of risk factors
-- Alcohol ingestion
-- Illegal drug ingestion

Psychological • Past psychiatric illness • Problematic or ineffective support • Environmental overload:

• Attitudes, values, expectations, systems: -- Temperature
and behavior patterns: -- Family members -- Noise
-- Self-blame -- Friends -- Lights
-- Self-perception/self-concept -- Bereavement/specialty groups -- Odors
-- Nature of coping or specialists -- Colors
mechanisms/stress intolerance • Dependency on caregivers • Lack of support from community
-- Denial • Negative nurse/client interactions organizations
-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Intrusion
-- Fear
-- Powerlessness

Cultural • Cultural beliefs about: • Language barriers • Lack of ability to pay for
-- Aging • Financial issues hospitalization (e.g. no insurance
-- Pain management • Locus of control coverage)
-- Use of medications/surgery • Interruption in plans • Lack of financial security
• Loss of role-relationship • Restrictive visitation • Lack of support from cultural
• Values • Separation of significant other group
• Risk behaviors eg.: • Life-style changes • Lack of education to prevent
-- Seat belt use • Role alterations (temporary or health problems
-- Speeding permanent): • Guardianship determination
-- Familial through judicial system
-- Occupational
-- Sexual
• Differences in beliefs about aging

Developmental • Developmental tasks of aging • Developmental differences • Environmental factors that

• Education between significant others decrease needed stimuli
• Gender differences • Lack of initiation and maintenance • Disability affecting development
• Cognitive abilities of relationships according to
expected developmental stage.
Spiritual • Spiritual beliefs affecting health • Disagreements with family about • Lack of spiritual support from
management: matters of spirituality clergy/other representatives
-- Altered worship practices • Access difficulties
-- Heightened awareness of
life/death
-- Refusal blood transfusions
-- Advanced directives
-- Resuscitation
-- Organ donation
-- Medical/Surgical treatment
• Unmet spiritual needs:
-- Meaning and purpose
-- Love/relatedness
-- Hope
-- Forgiveness
-- Freedom