| HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW FORUM |
 |
| Please ensure your comments are clean and polite
(with the usual caveats about racism, sexism and so on). |
Is Psychological Resilience Important for Later-Life Mental Health?
Research Paper Title
The Impact of Military Service Exposures and Psychological Resilience on the Mental Health Trajectories of Older Male Veterans.
Background
The researchers examine the impact of exposure to the dead, dying, and wounded (DDW) during military service on the later-life depressive symptom trajectories of male United States veterans, using psychological resilience as an internal resource that potentially moderates negative consequences.
Methods
The Health and Retirement Study (2006-2014) and linked Veteran Mail Survey were used to estimate latent growth curve models of depressive symptom trajectories, beginning at respondents' first report of resilience.
Results
Veterans with higher levels of resilience do not have increased depressive symptoms in later life, despite previous exposure to DDW. Those with lower levels of resilience and previous exposure to DDW experience poorer mental health in later life.
Conclusions
Psychological resilience is important for later-life mental health, particularly for veterans who endured potentially traumatic experiences. The researchers discuss the importance acknowledging the role individual resources play in shaping adaptation to adverse life events and implications for mental health service needs.
Reference
Urena, S. Taylor, M.G. & Carr, D.C. (2020) The Impact of Military Service Exposures and Psychological Resilience on the Mental Health Trajectories of Older Male Veterans. Journal of Aging and Health. doi: 10.1177/0898264320975231. Online ahead of print.
You must be logged in to post a comment.