Wartime stressors and mental health symptoms as predictors of late-life mortality in World War II survivors

Functioning and Mortality of Holocaust Survivors: Physical Resilience and Psychosocial Vulnerabilities

“…In line with Erikson's theory (1982), older trauma survivors are struggling to reconcile with unresolved issues of the past and to integrate them into a life story that embodies the identity and the unity of the self (Shmotkin, 2003). Accordingly, there is evidence that long-term distress spans decades after the trauma experience in various traumatized groups (Bramsen, Deeg, van der Ploeg, & Fransman, 2007;Favaro, Rodella, Colombo, & Santonastaso, 1999).…”

“…In another study, shortly after WWII, combat exposure was related to higher morbidity and mortality (Elder, Shanahan, & Clipp, 1997). However, decades after WWII, findings regarding mortality risk among exposed civilians, veterans, and prisoners of war were mixed, alternately reflecting vulnerability and resilience (Bramsen et al, 2007).…”

Long-term Mortality of War Cohorts: The Case of Finland

“…Findings from other countries, such as Germany, Poland, and the former Soviet Union, indicate no clear evidence that men who were of combatant age during World War II had higher long-term mortality rates (Anderson and Silver 1989). Analyses of war veterans in the Netherlands conclude that exposure to stress during wartime and mental health symptoms during the long-term aftermath of war and violence predict later-life mortality (Bramsen et al 2007). The study suffers from a considerable level of nonresponse, though, and it uses self-reported data on wartime exposure.…”

Veteran Family Reintegration, Primary Care Needs, and the Benefit of the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model

“…28 -30 Thus, access, healthseeking behaviors, and mental health and relationship issues add up to deployed veterans having earlier and greater comorbidities 31,32 and an increased likelihood of early mortality. 33 There is a strong need to increase awareness of veterans' issues in primary care settings, with increased attention paid to social factors, such as family reintegration after deployment, that can exacerbate physical and mental health difficulties for both veterans and their family members. 34 -37 The American Academy of Family Physicians and other primary care physician organizations developed the PCMH as a comprehensive model of care for children, youth, and adults.…”

“…The strain of reintegration after deployment can last for years. 25,26 Monitoring the whole family can ameliorate family strain and help families to avoid problems down the road, which in turn is linked to better health outcomes for all [31][32][33] because veterans' physical and mental health problems are as likely as not to affect family members' health and well-being.…”