title: Continuous exposure to life threats among different age groups in different types of communities.
abstract: The current study compared levels of posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) resulting from continuous exposure to missile attacks among residents of 2 types of communities (urban vs. rural) in 2 different age groups (elderly persons vs. young adults). We also took into account the contribution of individual resources (sociodemographic variables) and community resources (type of community of residence and sense of belonging to the community). The results revealed that, in general, the elderly residents were classified as suffering from more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reported more PTS. Nonetheless, type of community of residence as well as individual and social resources contributed more to PTS symptoms than did the participants' age. The results are analyzed in light of the current literature on PTS, and in light of literature dealing with the impact of developmental life stage among populations that are continuously exposed to traumatic events.
authors: Israeli National Council for Social Work, School of Social Work, Sapir College.
authors: Orit
authors: O
authors: Nuttman-Shwartz
authors: School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Dekel
authors: School of Social Work, Sapir College.
authors: Irit
authors: I
authors: Regev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012424:Rural Population; D012938:Social Perception; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D014505:Urban Population; D000067453:War Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult