Examining attitudes towards mental health treatment and experiences with trauma: Understanding the needs of trauma-exposed middle-aged and older adults.

Middle-aged and older adults who have been exposed to traumatic events may have specific developmental needs with respect to engagement in mental health treatment. The current study examined factors that potentially facilitate or inhibit attitudes towards mental health service use (ATMHSU) in a trauma-exposed sample of treatment-seeking adults of age 50 years and older. In this mixed-methods study, quantitative data (N =  165) were analyzed to examine relationships with trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, quality of life (QOL), and ATMHSU. Semi-structured interviews were conducted assessing similar constructs with a subsample of the data (n = 12). Regression analysis revealed higher QOL-environmental well-being as associated with more positive ATMHSU and higher QOL-social support with more negative ATMHSU. Qualitative themes emerged around perceived distress in managing lifelong traumas due to challenges with functioning, coping, and accessing services. Emphasizing resources to help manage the impact of distress on daily life needs may support aging trauma-exposed populations.