Psychological Distress Among the Community Elderly: Prevalence, Characteristics and Implications For Service

This paper reports the results of a survey of elderly people living in a predominantly blue collar, New England town. psychological distress & its relaionship to demographic & social interaction characteristics are explored. Vulnerability to the stresses of aging increases where there is a habitual pattern of dependency, poor interpersonal skills & lack of social initiatives. Mental health & community services were not reaching the needy. Some possible preventive strategies are discussed.(NBB)