The Frequency and Impact of Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events Over the Life Course.

Ogle, Christin M

Rubin, David C

Berntsen, Dorthe

Siegler, Ilene C

United States

2015-05-12T14:28:53Z

2013-10-01

We examined the frequency and impact of exposure to potentially traumatic events among a nonclinical sample of older adults (n = 3,575), a population typically underrepresented in epidemiological research concerning the prevalence of traumatic events. Current PTSD symptom severity and the centrality of events to identity were assessed for events nominated as currently most distressing. Approximately 90% of participants experienced one or more potentially traumatic events. Events that occurred with greater frequency early in the life course were associated with more severe PTSD symptoms compared to events that occurred with greater frequency during later decades. Early life traumas, however, were not more central to identity. Results underscore the differential impact of traumatic events experienced throughout the life course. We conclude with suggestions for further research concerning mechanisms that promote the persistence of post-traumatic stress related to early life traumas and empirical evaluation of psychotherapeutic treatments for older adults with PTSD.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24660131

2167-7026

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/9766

eng

SAGE Publications

Clin Psychol Sci

10.1177/2167702613485076

PTSD symptom severity

event centrality

lifetime trauma exposure

older adulthood

The Frequency and Impact of Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events Over the Life Course.

Journal article

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24660131

426

434

4

Clinical Science Departments

Duke

Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine

Psychology and Neuroscience

School of Medicine

Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

University Institutes and Centers

Published

1