title: Recurrent trauma: Holocaust survivors cope with aging and cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aims to determine whether elderly Holocaust survivors are affected differently from non-survivors by the adversity of aging and cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Holocaust survivors and non-survivors suffering from cancer, were assessed tapping PTSD, psychiatric symptomatology, psychosocial adjustment to illness and coping with the aftermath of the Holocaust.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicate a significant difference between survivors and non-survivors in post-traumatic symptoms and their intensity, survivors endorsing significantly more PTSD symptoms. Survivors were classified into 3 sub-groups, namely "Victims," "Fighters," and "Those who made it". "Victims" reported the highest percentage of persons who met PTSD, psychiatric symptomatology and difficulty coping with the problems of old age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diversity of responses points to heterogeneity of long-term adaptation and adjustment among Holocaust survivors and similar response to subsequent adversity.
authors: Tel-Hai Academic College, Tel-Hai (Upper Galilee), Israel. shirah@adm.telhai.ac.il
authors: Shira
authors: S
authors: Hantman
authors: Zahava
authors: Z
authors: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017767:Holocaust / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*