Abstract: Older women's adaptation to situational stress was measured using the Early Childhood Memories Test. The memories were scored for changes in Levels of Loss, a scale developed by Tobin and Etigson (1968); for quantity of reminiscence; and for compensatory themes to the stress. Forty-two women, aged 70-79, were exposed to three treatment conditions: no stress, controlled stress, and uncontrolled stress. The controlled and uncontrolled stress conditions were yoked. The no stress condition was a baseline control group. The women were exposed to 30 trials of a 7-second, computer-generated, random, noise tone. The data were analyzed using t-tests and Chi Square statistics. There was statistical significance for the Levels of Loss expressed. The uncontrolled stress group had the highest Levels of Loss expressed. The controlled stress group Levels of Loss was also higher than the no stress group Levels of Loss. Quantity of reminiscence was not significant, and adaptation as reflected in compensatory themes was inconclusive.