The Impact of Traumatic Events on Mental Health Among Older African American and Black Caribbean Adults

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the frequency and impact of traumatic events on the mental health of older African American and Black Caribbean adults. Methods: The current study used data from the National Survey of American Life of 1,135 African American and 426 Black Caribbean adults aged 50 and older. Analysis examined the impact of traumatic events on both positive (i.e., happiness and life satisfaction) and negative (i.e., depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and 12-month anti-depressant use) domains of mental health. Results: Findings indicate that approximately 80% of older African Americans and Black Caribbeans reported experiencing a traumatic event at some point in their lifetime. Among African Americans assaultive violence was associated with more depressive symptoms, lower levels of life satisfaction, and lower levels of happiness. This was not the case among Black Caribbeans. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary insight in mental health outcomes for older African American and Black Caribbean adults.

Prevalence, Severity and Burden of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Black Men and Women Across the Adult Life span

“…There is evidence from another study of PTSD and aging in the general U.S. population (Reynolds et al, 2016) that older adults report lower prevalence of types of traumatic events (e.g., interpersonal violence and sexual assault) that confer PTSD risk in Black women (Lacey et al, 2021). In another paper in this issue, post-traumatic events (PTE) in older Black adults were found to be associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress (Brooks et al, 2022); when screened and found in the 12-months prior to the interview, PTEs were treated with anti-depressants. The most commonly experienced types of PTEs in their study were having someone close die unexpectedly, seeing someone badly injured, being mugged, having a life-threatening illness, and being in a life-threatening car accident (Brooks et al, 2022).…”

“…In another paper in this issue, post-traumatic events (PTE) in older Black adults were found to be associated with depressive symptoms and psychological distress (Brooks et al, 2022); when screened and found in the 12-months prior to the interview, PTEs were treated with anti-depressants. The most commonly experienced types of PTEs in their study were having someone close die unexpectedly, seeing someone badly injured, being mugged, having a life-threatening illness, and being in a life-threatening car accident (Brooks et al, 2022). The good news is that despite experiencing such PTEs they did not go on in large numbers based on our results to advance to PTSD.…”

Exposure to Adversity and its Impact on Later Life Cognitive, Mental, and Physical Health

“…As people enter adulthood, their experiences and exposures to new adverse events can also have long-term impacts. Exposure to adversity across the life course has the potential to profoundly impact cognitive, mental, and physical health [8,9,[25][26][27][28][29]. For example, having a close relative who is addicted to drugs or alcohol has been found to have lasting effects on an individual's emotional well-being, often through stress and family strain [30,31].…”

Contemporary Research on Older Black Americans, a Special Issue of Journal of Aging and Health in Honor of the Life and Legacy of James S. Jackson

“…Work by Brooks et al (2022) provides one of the first examinations of traumatic events among the older Black American population. They found that 8 out of 10 older African Americans and Black Caribbeans have had at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.…”