Older adults’ beliefs about coping strategies for anxiety: A UK-based multicultural qualitative study informed by Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation

Aim Older adults experiencing anxiety disorders, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds, are less likely to use formal mental health services than younger adults. This UK-based multicultural qualitative study explored beliefs underpinning coping strategies for anxiety among White British, South Asian, African and Caribbean older adults who self-reported anxiety, informed by Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model. Methods Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 older adults aged ≥65 who self-reported current or past anxiety. Professional interpreters supported interviews with non-English-speaking participants (n = 10). Eight public contributors collaborated on different aspects of the study. Data were managed and analysed using the Framework Method. Findings The study drew on the perspectives of 27 participants with distressing anxiety and 25 with non-distressing anxiety. Across all cultural groups, participants adopted a range of coping strategies, with self-help strategies being the most prominent. Our findings suggest that coping strategy selection was shaped by factors extending beyond cultural background. Participants tended to adopt strategies that were congruent with their salient identities, perceived need for support, candidacy for healthcare, social relationships, and beliefs about the appropriateness and effectiveness of different responses. This complexity helps explain variation in perceptions both across and within cultural groups. Inductive analysis identified new dimensions not recognised in Leventhal’s Model: factors underlying the motivation to take action, beliefs about treatment providers and new treatment-related beliefs. Conclusions Interventions that support older adults to apply self-help strategies more effectively may represent acceptable adjuncts to formal therapy. Nevertheless, addressing barriers to formal help-seeking remains essential, particularly among those with perceived need for professional support. No one model can depict the complexity of coping behaviours. While applying Leventhal’s Model offered novel insights, it could not fully capture the motivational factors underlying engagement with specific coping behaviours. Cross-cultural research should attend to within-group heterogeneity rather than impose assumptions of cultural homogeneity.