NYMC Faculty Publications
Unraveling Trauma and Stress, Coping Resources, and Mental Well-Being Among Older Adults in Prison: Empirical Evidence Linking Theory and Practice
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1093/geront/gnt069
Journal Title
The Gerontologist
First Page
857
Last Page
867
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2014
Department
Public Health
Second Department
Health Policy and Management
Keywords
Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Prisoners, Prisons, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States, Vulnerable Populations
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
PURPOSE OF STUDY: A theoretical integration of the life course perspective, cumulative advantage, disadvantage or inequality, and stress processing theories provide an important integrated lens to study the relationship between accumulated interpersonal, social-structural, and historical trauma and stressful experiences on mental well-being mental well-being in later life.
DESIGN AND METHODS: This study builds upon the extant literature by examining the mediating role of coping resources on the relationship between trauma and stressful life experiences, post traumatic stress symptoms, and mental well-being among a sample of 677 adults aged 50 and older in prison.
RESULTS: The majority (70%) reported experiencing one or more traumatic or stressful life experiences during their life span. Participants also reported on average 11 occurrences of multilevel trauma and stressful life events and lingering subjective distress related to these events. Results of a structural equation model revealed that internal and external coping resources (e.g., cognitive, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social) had a significant and inverse effect on the relationship between trauma and stressful life experiences and mental well-being.
IMPLICATIONS: As prisons are forced to deal with an aging population, research in this area can take the preliminary steps to enhance understanding of risk and resilience among older adults in prison. This understanding will aid in the development and improvement of integrated theory-based interventions seeking to increase human rights, health, and well-being among older adults in prison.
Recommended Citation
Maschi, T., Viola, D., & Morgen, K. (2014). Unraveling Trauma and Stress, Coping Resources, and Mental Well-Being Among Older Adults in Prison: Empirical Evidence Linking Theory and Practice. The Gerontologist, 54 (5), 857-867. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt069
