The COVID-19 pandemic as traumatic stressor: Distress in older adults is predicted by childhood trauma and mitigated by defensive functioning.

Vera Békés Claire J StarrsJ Christopher Perry

Published in: Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy (2022)

Our results support the relative resilience of older-older adults compared to older adults, as well as the long-lasting impact of childhood adversity through defensive functioning later in life, specifically in times of heightened stress, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies are warranted to identify further factors affecting defensive functioning as adults age, as well as processes that are associated with resilience in response to stressors in older adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Keyphrases

physical activity
early life
climate change
spinal cord injury
community dwelling
middle aged
social support
depressive symptoms
current status
childhood cancer
young adults
stress induced
adverse drug
trauma patients
heat stress