Examining the Influence of Early-Life and Recent Traumatic Events on Loneliness in Centenarians.

Examining the Influence of Early-Life and Recent Traumatic Events on Loneliness in Centenarians.
Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2020 Sep 24;:91415020959768
Authors: Struckmeyer KM, Caldwell JA, Bishop AJ, Scheuerman PN
Abstract
Early-life traumatic experiences have lasting implications for late-life socio-emotional development, contributing to a greater prevalence of poor mental health in very old age. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of early-life and recent traumatic life experiences on loneliness among centenarians. A total of 154 centenarians participated in a semistructured interview. The time of traumatic occurrence and type of trauma experienced influence loneliness in centenarians. Experiencing a natural disaster 70 or more years ago significantly predicted loneliness. Terror management theory proposes that coming to terms with one's mortality represents an underlying source of anxiety that can influence human behavior to create both immediate and future defenses. Evidence from this study can be used to improve how aging service practitioners integrate reminiscence or life-review therapy or counseling within clinical or educational settings.
PMID: 32970456 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: International Journal of Aging and Human Development - September 26, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Tags: Int J Aging Hum Dev Source Type: research