title: The effects of the Columbia shuttle disaster on the daily lives of older adults: findings from the VA Normative Aging Study.
abstract: During 2002-2003 the VA Normative Aging Study conducted an eight-day diary survey of stressors and well-being. A sub-sample of 19 men and 13 women (mean age = 71.78) completed daily questionnaires before and after the Columbia shuttle exploded on 1st February 2003, presenting a unique look into peoples' daily lives before and after a tragic event. Results indicated no significant changes in negative affect or physical symptoms, but people reported significant decreases in both positive affect and memory failures on days following the shuttle explosion. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-760, USA. shevaun_neupert@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Neupert
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mroczek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spiro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013026:Space Flight / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*