VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA.
VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
Aging Ment Health. 2023 May;27(5):957-964. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2068135. Epub 2022 May 22.
We characterize rates and correlates of PTSD and of trauma re-engagement without PTSD in medically ill older Veterans, as well as supportive strategies, with the goal of advancing trauma-informed care.
We interviewed medically ill older Veterans ( = 88, M age 75.13, SD = 6.14) with primary care screening measures for PTSD and trauma re-engagement, and open-ended questions to assess supportive strategies.
One-fifth (20.5%) presented with probable PTSD, associated with greater trauma exposures (=.57, <.001), whereas two-fifths (43.2%) reported re-engagement with military memories without PTSD, associated with having a spouse/partner ( = 2.27, =.028). Of those who experienced trauma, half reported thinking more about the trauma recently and becoming more emotional on certain days. In response to the question 'What gives you strength as you think about the future with your illness' Veterans described support of family, healthcare, worldview, personal control, acceptance, and health behaviors.
Memories of trauma are common with medical illness. Age-friendly trauma-informed care could consider factors that patients describe as sources of strength with illness.
我们描述了患有医学疾病的老年退伍军人中 PTSD 和无 PTSD 的创伤再体验的发生率和相关因素，以及支持性策略，旨在推进创伤知情护理。
我们对患有医学疾病的老年退伍军人（n=88，M 年龄 75.13，SD=6.14）进行了 PTSD 和创伤再体验的初级保健筛查措施的访谈，以及开放式问题以评估支持性策略。
五分之一（20.5%）患有 PTSD，与更多的创伤暴露相关（r=.57，<.001），而五分之二（43.2%）报告了与 PTSD 无关的与军事记忆的重新接触，与有配偶/伴侣相关（r=2.27，p=.028）。在经历过创伤的人中，有一半的人报告说最近更多地思考了创伤，并且在某些日子变得更加情绪化。在回答“当你考虑到你的疾病未来时，什么给你力量”的问题时，退伍军人描述了家庭、医疗保健、世界观、个人控制、接受和健康行为的支持。
患有医学疾病的人常常会回忆起创伤。适合老年人的创伤知情护理可以考虑患者描述为与疾病抗争的力量来源的因素。
