@article{ref1,
title="Lifetime traumatic events, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with life in older adults",
journal="Quality of life research",
year="2017",
author="Lamoureux-Lamarche, Catherine and Vasiliadis, Helen-Maria",
volume="26",
number="10",
pages="2683-2692",
abstract="PURPOSES: The aims were to assess the association between lifetime traumatic events and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and satisfaction with life stratified by gender among a community-dwelling sample of older adults. <br><br>METHODS: Data used came from the ESA-Services study (2011-2013) and included a large convenience sample of 1811 older adults. Traumatic events were measured using a list of 14 events. PTSS was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. HRQOL and life satisfaction were measured with the EQ-5D-3L and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the association between traumatic events, PTSS, and quality of life. <br><br>RESULTS: Respondents had a mean age of 73.90 years (SD: 6.13, range 65-97). Our results showed that exposure to violence (OR 4.88, CI 2.72-8.77), an accident (OR 2.33, CI 1.29-4.22), and sexual abuse (OR 2.26 CI 1.17-4.37) was associated with PTSS only in women. No traumatic event was associated only in men. The interaction between gender and exposure to violence and life-threatening disease of a close one was significant. Experiencing violence (β = -0.04, p < 0.01), a natural disaster (β = -0.04, p = 0.02), a life-threatening disease (β = -0.04, p < 0.01), and sexual abuse (β = -0.04, p < 0.01) were associated with a lower HRQOL only in women. No traumatic event was associated in men. Interactions between event and gender were significant for natural disaster, life-threatening disease of a close one, sexual abuse, and other type of traumatic events. A life-threatening disease (β = -0.90, p < 0.01) was associated with a reduced life satisfaction only in men and the exposure of violence (β = -1.18, p < 0.01) was associated with lower life satisfaction in women. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Our study could help healthcare professionals to identify and monitor traumatic events that are at higher risk to be associated with PTSS and a lower quality of life for older men and women.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0962-9343",
doi="10.1007/s11136-017-1593-6",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1593-6"
}