Christopher B Brady1,2,3, Anica Pless Kaiser4,5, Avron Spiro4,5,6,7, Eve Davison5,8, Daniel King4,5, Lynda King4,5. 1. a Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA. 2. b Department of Neurology , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA. 3. c Division of Aging, Brigham and Women's Hospital , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA. 4. d Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA. 5. e Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA. 6. f Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA. 7. g Department of Epidemiology , Boston University School of Public Health , Boston , MA , USA. 8. h Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.
Abstract
Objectives: Late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS) is a phenomenon observed in older combat veterans who experience increased combat-related thoughts, feelings, and reminiscences corresponding with the changes and challenges of aging. Previously, we developed the LOSS Scale to assess LOSS. This paper describes the development and validation of a LOSS Scale short form (LOSS-SF) to screen veterans in various settings who may be actively re-examining their past wartime experiences. Method: Three studies examined the reliability and validity of the LOSS-SF in separate samples of male combat veterans age 55 and older (total N = 346). Veterans were administered measures via telephone and mail survey. Correlation and regression analyses examined the reliability and validity of the LOSS-SF. Results: The LOSS-SF exhibited strong internal consistency (alpha = .93), test-retest reliability (2 week interval on average; r = .88), and good concurrent validity with the LOSS Scale (r = .81). Convergent and divergent validity were supported by the pattern of correlations between the LOSS-SF and other construct measures. Conclusion: The LOSS-SF is a reliable and valid measure to quickly assess thoughts, feelings, and reminiscences about past combat experiences in older veterans and identify those veterans in distress who may benefit from psychological interventions..
Objectives: Late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS) is a phenomenon observed in older combat veterans who experience increased combat-related thoughts, feelings, and reminiscences corresponding with the changes and challenges of aging. Previously, we developed the LOSS Scale to assess LOSS. This paper describes the development and validation of a LOSS Scale short form (LOSS-SF) to screen veterans in various settings who may be actively re-examining their past wartime experiences. Method: Three studies examined the reliability and validity of the LOSS-SF in separate samples of male combat veterans age 55 and older (total N = 346). Veterans were administered measures via telephone and mail survey. Correlation and regression analyses examined the reliability and validity of the LOSS-SF. Results: The LOSS-SF exhibited strong internal consistency (alpha = .93), test-retest reliability (2 week interval on average; r = .88), and good concurrent validity with the LOSS Scale (r = .81). Convergent and divergent validity were supported by the pattern of correlations between the LOSS-SF and other construct measures. Conclusion: The LOSS-SF is a reliable and valid measure to quickly assess thoughts, feelings, and reminiscences about past combat experiences in older veterans and identify those veterans in distress who may benefit from psychological interventions..
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging male combat veterans; re-engagement; reliability; validity; war experiences
Authors: Carrie M Potter; Anica Pless Kaiser; Lynda A King; Daniel W King; Eve H Davison; Antonia V Seligowski; Christopher B Brady; Avron Spiro Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2012-09-10 Impact factor: 3.658
Authors: Christina M Marini; Katherine L Fiori; Janet M Wilmoth; Anica Pless Kaiser; Lynn M Martire Journal: Gerontology Date: 2019-09-10 Impact factor: 5.140