Neal Krause1. 1. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. nkrause@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to see if a strong sense of meaning in life helps older adults cope more effectively with the effects of lifetime trauma. METHODS: The data were obtained from a nationwide longitudinal survey of older adults (N = 1,093). Questions were asked about traumatic events arising at any point in an individual's life and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The findings suggest that meaning tends to offset the deleterious impact of traumatic life events on depressive symptoms. However, these effects were observed only when the cross-sectional data were examined. In contrast, statistically significant stress-buffering effects were not present when the impact of trauma and meaning on change in depressive symptoms over time was evaluated. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study provide a basis for devising interventions to help older people cope more effectively with the effects of traumatic events that have arisen in their lives.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to see if a strong sense of meaning in life helps older adults cope more effectively with the effects of lifetime trauma. METHODS: The data were obtained from a nationwide longitudinal survey of older adults (N = 1,093). Questions were asked about traumatic events arising at any point in an individual's life and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The findings suggest that meaning tends to offset the deleterious impact of traumatic life events on depressive symptoms. However, these effects were observed only when the cross-sectional data were examined. In contrast, statistically significant stress-buffering effects were not present when the impact of trauma and meaning on change in depressive symptoms over time was evaluated. DISCUSSION: The findings from this study provide a basis for devising interventions to help older people cope more effectively with the effects of traumatic events that have arisen in their lives.
Authors: Christopher B Forrest; Katherine B Bevans; Ania Filus; Janine Devine; Brandon D Becker; Adam C Carle; Rachel E Teneralli; JeanHee Moon; Ulrike Ravens-Sieberer Journal: J Pediatr Psychol Date: 2019-10-01
Authors: Crystal L Park; Cheryl L Knott; Randi M Williams; Eddie M Clark; Beverly Rosa Williams; Emily Schulz Journal: J Happiness Stud Date: 2020-01-01