Emotional Weeping, Age, and Physical Disorder.
Saved in:
| Title: | Emotional Weeping, Age, and Physical Disorder. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Labott, Susan M., Martin, Randall B. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 1988 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Adults, Age Differences, Aging (Individuals), Coping, Diseases, Emotional Response, Sex Differences, Well Being |
| Abstract: | Traditional ideas suggest that emotional weeping is healthy, but empirical support for this position is lacking. This study examined the relationship between crying frequency and reported physical disorders, and changes in crying frequency with age. Subjects were 225 men and 285 women ranging in age from 18-81. Subjects participated in telephone interviews and responded to questions about physical disorders, crying frequency, use of humor to cope with stressful events, and use of crying to cope with upsetting events. Results indicated that weeping was associated with increased disorder in early adulthood. As age increased, however, frequent criers were healthier than those who reported no weeping. Crying frequency decreased from ages 18-81 (with the exception of a slight increase at middle age). Females reported greater crying frequencies than males at each level. These results integrate previous discrepant findings about weeping frequency, age, and physical disorder. That is, previous research with young adults has shown that high weepers reported greater psychological mood disturbance than low weepers. Weeping is shown to be associated with decreased physical disorder. The behavioral and attitudinal issues surrounding weeping require further study. (Author/ABL) |
| Entry Date: | 1989 |
| Accession Number: | ED304622 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Traditional ideas suggest that emotional weeping is healthy, but empirical support for this position is lacking. This study examined the relationship between crying frequency and reported physical disorders, and changes in crying frequency with age. Subjects were 225 men and 285 women ranging in age from 18-81. Subjects participated in telephone interviews and responded to questions about physical disorders, crying frequency, use of humor to cope with stressful events, and use of crying to cope with upsetting events. Results indicated that weeping was associated with increased disorder in early adulthood. As age increased, however, frequent criers were healthier than those who reported no weeping. Crying frequency decreased from ages 18-81 (with the exception of a slight increase at middle age). Females reported greater crying frequencies than males at each level. These results integrate previous discrepant findings about weeping frequency, age, and physical disorder. That is, previous research with young adults has shown that high weepers reported greater psychological mood disturbance than low weepers. Weeping is shown to be associated with decreased physical disorder. The behavioral and attitudinal issues surrounding weeping require further study. (Author/ABL) |
|---|
