Trauma history is associated with psychological distress and somatic symptoms in homebound older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the physical health, anxiety, and depressive symptoms of homebound older adults in relation to a history of trauma exposure.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data.


METHODS
Participants were recruited by in-home aging services case managers.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 136 older adults receiving in-home services.


METHODS
Participants completed a research battery that included the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID), Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination, and Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Case managers provided standard assessments of health and functional status. Data were analyzed using t tests, chi tests, and logistic regression.


RESULTS
Approximately half (49%) of the participants reported experiencing a traumatic event. When compared with participants who did not report a history of trauma, trauma-exposed participants were on average 3 years younger, had one more chronic medical condition, were taking two more nonpsychotropic medications, and were more likely to report poor self-rated health. Furthermore, trauma-exposed participants were more likely to experience clinically significant somatic and anxiety symptoms on the BSI-18 and were more likely to meet criteria for a SCID anxiety disorder diagnosis. After controlling for physical health and cognitive functioning, trauma exposure was still associated with psychiatric disorders and higher levels of somatic and anxiety symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Trauma-exposed participants were younger but experienced worse physical and mental health than those without a trauma history. This suggests that trauma exposure across the lifespan could have a long-term negative impact on homebound older adults' health and quality of life.
Petkus
Andrew J
AJ
San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA. apetkus@ucsd.edu
Gum
Amber M
AM
King-Kallimanis
Bellinda
B
Wetherell
Julie Loebach
JL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D018577:Homebound Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*