Abstract

Objectives

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.

Methods

We interviewed medically ill older Veterans (N = 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.

Results

One-fifth (20.5%) presented with probable PTSD, associated with greater trauma exposures (r=.57, p<.001), whereas two-fifths (43.2%) reported re-engagement with military memories without PTSD, associated with having a spouse/partner (t = 2.27, p=.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.

Conclusion

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.

中文翻译：

---

患有老年疾病的退伍军人的创伤再参与和创伤后应激障碍：对创伤知情护理的影响

摘要

目标

我们描述了患有疾病的老年退伍军人中 PTSD 和无 PTSD 的创伤再参与的比率和相关性，以及支持策略，目的是推进创伤知情护理。

方法

我们采访了患有疾病的老年退伍军人（N  = 88，M 年龄 75.13，SD = 6.14），了解针对 PTSD 和创伤重新参与的初级保健筛查措施，并提出开放式问题来评估支持策略。

结果

五分之一 (20.5%) 的人可能患有 PTSD，与更大的创伤暴露相关 ( r =.57, p <.001)，而五分之二 (43.2%) 则报告在没有 PTSD 的情况下重新回忆起军事记忆，与经历过的创伤相关配偶/伴侣 ( t  = 2.27, p =.028)。在经历过创伤的人中，有一半人表示最近更多地思考创伤，并且在某些日子变得更加情绪化。在回答“当你思考疾病的未来时，什么给你力量”这个问题时，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。

结论

创伤记忆在医疗疾病中很常见。老年友好型创伤知情护理可以考虑患者描述为疾病力量来源的因素。