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Stessman J, Paris B, Jacobs JM. Holocaust survivors: Health and longevity 70 years later. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:3199-3207. [PMID: 37358337 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Holocaust survivors (HS) alive today form a unique and disappearing population, whose exposure to systematic genocide occurred over 70 years ago. Negative health outcomes were widely documented prior to age 70. We examine the hypothesis that the experience of remote trauma continues to negatively affect health, functional status, and survival between the ages of 85-95. METHODS The Jerusalem Longitudinal Study (1990-2022) followed a representative sample of Jerusalem residents born 1920-1921, at ages 85, 90 and 95. Home assessment included medical, social, functional, and cognitive status, and mortality data. Subjects were classified: (1) HS-Camp (HS-C): survived slave-labor, concentration, or death camps; (2) HS-Exposed (HS-E): survived Nazi occupation of Europe; (3) Controls: European descent, outside Europe during WWII. We determined Hazards Ratios (HR), adjusting for gender, loneliness, financial difficulty, physical activity, ADL dependence, chronic ischemic heart disease, cancer, cognitive deficits, chronic joint pain, self-rated health. RESULTS At ages 85 (n = 496), 90 (n = 524), and 95 (n = 383) the frequency of HS-C versus HS-E versus Controls was 28%/22%/50%, 19%/19%/62%, and 20%/22%/58%, respectively. No consistent significant morbidity differences were observed. Mortality between ages 85-90 and 90-95 years was 34.9% versus 38% versus 32.0%, and 43.4% versus 47.3% versus 43.7%, respectively, with no significant differences in survival rates (log rank p = 0.63, p = 0.81). Five-year mortality adjusted HRs were insignificant for HS-C and HS-E between ages 85-90 (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.54-1.39; HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.73-1.78) and ages 90-95 (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.39-1.32; HR 1.38, 95% CI 0.85-2.23). CONCLUSIONS Seventy years following their trauma and suffering during the Holocaust, the significant impairments of health, function, morbidity, and mortality which have accompanied survivors throughout their entire adult life, were no longer observed. Indeed, it is likely that survivors living >85 years old represent a uniquely resilient population of people, whose adaptation to adversity has accompanied them throughout their lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochanan Stessman
- The Jerusalem Institute of Aging Research, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation and the Center for Palliative Care, Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus, and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Paris
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai & Honorary Attending in Medicine, Maimonides Health, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Jeremy M Jacobs
- The Jerusalem Institute of Aging Research, Hadassah Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation and the Center for Palliative Care, Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus, and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Magano J, Fraiz-Brea JA, Ângela Leite. Dark tourism, the holocaust, and well-being: A systematic review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13064. [PMID: 36711286 PMCID: PMC9873685 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dark tourists experience negative and positive feelings in Holocaust places, suggesting emotional ambivalence. The research question of this study is, "is feeling well-being, as a consequence of dark tourism, a way of banalizing the horror?". The purpose of this study is threefold: to provide an updated systematic literature review (SLR) of dark tourism associated with Holocaust sites and visitors' well-being; to structure the findings into categories that provide a comprehensive overview of the topics; and to identify which topics are not well covered, thus suggesting knowledge gaps. Records to be included should be retrievable articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, books, and book chapters, all focused on the SLR's aims and the research question; other types of publications were outrightly excluded. The search was performed in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases with three keywords and combinations: "dark tourism", "Holocaust", and "well-being". Methodological decisions were based on the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS). This systematic review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. During the process, 144 documents were included, of which 126 were journal articles, 8 were books, and 10 were book chapters. The results point out a hierarchical structure with the main category (Dark tourism - Holocaust - Well-being) and three second-order categories (Dark tourism - Holocaust, Dark tourism - Well-being, and Holocaust - Well-being), from which different subcategories emerge: motivations for visiting places and guiding; ambivalent emotional experience that leads to the transformation of the self; and intergenerational trauma. The gaps identified were the trivialization of horror in Holocaust places; dark tourist profile; motivations and constraints behind visiting dark places; Holocaust survivors and their descendants' well-being; how dark tourism associated with the Holocaust positively or negatively impacts well-being. Major limitations included: lack of randomized allocation; lack of standard outcome definitions; and suboptimal comparison groups. Positive and negative impacts on the well-being of the Holocaust dark tourist were sought, as they are associated with the marketing and management, promotion, digital communication, guiding, or storytelling design of such locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Magano
- Research Center in Business and Economics (CICEE), Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Rua Sta. Marta 47, 5.° Andar, 1150-293 Lisboa, Portugal,Corresponding author.
| | - José António Fraiz-Brea
- Department of Business Organization, Business Administration and Tourism School, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Ângela Leite
- Center for Philosophical and Humanistic Studies, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Portuguese Catholic University, Rua de Camões 60, 4710-362 Braga, Portugal
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Preiss M, Fňašková M, Nečasová M, Heissler R, Bob P, Prokopová A, Šamánková D, Sanders E, Rektor I. Wellbeing and national identity in three generations of Czech and Slovak Holocaust survivors. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:919217. [PMID: 36133931 PMCID: PMC9484460 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.919217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Subjective wellbeing (SWB) is an important factor of global adjustment. Intergenerational satisfaction in seriously traumatized people has not been studied so far in homogenous populations of Central and Eastern Europe. This study focuses on the SWB in three generations of survivors living in the Czech Republic and Slovakia after World War II (WWII). The focal groups were Holocaust survivors (ages 71–95, n = 47), Holocaust survivors’ children (ages 30–73, n = 86), and their grandchildren (ages 15–48, n = 88), and they were compared to aged-matched groups without Holocaust history. The first and second generation of Holocaust survivors scored significantly lower than the comparison groups in wellbeing, as measured using the Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 (SOS-10). There was no significant difference in life satisfaction in any of the three generations. Within the focal group, identification as Jewish or as also Jewish was comparable in all three generations of Holocaust survivors (74% in the first, 79% in the second, and 66% in the third generation). Holocaust survivors declaring Jewish identity reported lower SWB compared to survivors declaring other than Jewish identity. The focal group generated more national identities than comparisons. The outcomes are discussed in the context of the history of Central and Eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Preiss
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), Prague, Czechia
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
- Department of Psychology, University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Marek Preiss,
| | - Monika Fňašková
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
| | - Markéta Nečasová
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
| | - Radek Heissler
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Bob
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
| | - Alice Prokopová
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
| | - Dita Šamánková
- National Institute of Mental Health (Czechia), Prague, Czechia
| | - Edel Sanders
- Department of Psychology, University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ivan Rektor
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Brno, Czechia
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Activity engagement and psychological distress among Holocaust survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Psychogeriatr 2021; 33:1289-1296. [PMID: 34325768 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610221000910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic may pose a specific threat for Holocaust survivors, as such threats may be linked with increased psychological distress. Moreover, research has demonstrated that engaging in planful problem-solving activities is associated with reduced distress. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the link between engaging in activities during COVID-19 and psychological distress among Holocaust survivors with varying levels of post-traumatic symptoms (PTS) and comparisons (not directly exposed to the Holocaust). DESIGN A cross-sectional design composed of Holocaust survivors and a comparison group. SETTING Participants were interviewed face-to-face, over the telephone, or filled the scales online at their leisure. PARTICIPANTS Data were collected from 131 older Jewish Israelis (age range 76-94, M = 82.73, SD = 4.09), who were divided into three groups (comparisons; low-PTS survivors; high-PTS survivors). MEASUREMENTS Participants completed scales assessing PTS, activity engagement, and psychological distress and provided additional sociodemographic, medical, and COVID-19-related information. RESULTS When activity engagement was low, high-PTS survivors reported extremely high levels of psychological distress relative to low-PTS survivors and comparisons. However, when activity engagement was high, these group differences were considerably reduced, as the psychological distress of high-PTS survivors was significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the importance of daily planning and activity engagement for Holocaust survivors with high PTS levels in reducing psychological distress. Clinicians are urged to take this factor into account when dealing with the psychological effects of COVID-19 on survivors and on traumatized older adults in general.
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Greenblatt-Kimron L, Cohen M. The role of cognitive processing in the relationship of posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression among older Holocaust survivors: a moderated-mediation model. ANXIETY STRESS AND COPING 2019; 33:59-74. [DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2019.1669787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lee Greenblatt-Kimron
- School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Miri Cohen
- School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Much is known about adult children caring for their aging parents, yet the potentially unique experience of offspring caring for traumatized parents is underexplored. Therefore, the current studies assessed filial anxiety and sense of obligation among offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS) in caring for their parents. METHOD In Study 1, we interviewed 10 OHS (mean age = 61.0) in order to extract themes of filial anxiety. Based on Study 1's data, a newly constructed scale of filial anxiety was administered in Study 2 to 59 adult offspring (mean age = 56.4): 28 OHS and 31 comparisons. Study 3 included 143 dyads of parents and offspring (mean age = 55.4 and 81.7, respectively): 86 Holocaust dyads and 57 comparison dyads. Parents reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and offspring reported filial anxiety and sense of obligation. RESULTS In Study 1, interviewees referred to concerns about parent experiencing decline alongside caregiving difficulties. In Study 2, OHS reported higher filial anxiety and sense of obligation relative to comparisons. This group difference was mediated by sense of obligation. In Study 3, OHS with parental PTSD reported higher filial anxiety and sense of obligation relative to comparisons. Once more, filial sense of obligation served as a mediator. In Studies 2-3, results remained significant after adjusting for offspring symptoms. CONCLUSION Parental exposure to the Holocaust, and especially parental PTSD, related to higher filial obligation, which in turn was related to higher filial anxiety. These findings bear important implications for practitioners working with survivors' families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Shrira
- a The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences , Bar-Ilan University , Israel
| | - Ravit Menashe
- b Department of Criminology , Bar-Ilan University , Israel
| | - Moshe Bensimon
- b Department of Criminology , Bar-Ilan University , Israel
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King DB, Cappeliez P, Canham SL, O'Rourke N. Functions of reminiscence in later life: Predicting change in the physical and mental health of older adults over time. Aging Ment Health 2019; 23:246-254. [PMID: 29110517 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1396581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research has repeatedly shown that reminiscence affects the mental health and well-being of older adults contemporaneously and over time. Cross-sectional research also points to a link between reminiscence and physical health. The direction of this relationship is unclear, however. Does physical health affect how and why older adults think of themselves in the past? Or conversely, do various functions of reminiscence affect both mental and physical health now, and in future? METHODS Online responses were collected from a primarily Canadian sample of 411 older adults at three time points, separated by eight months on average. Participants responded to the Reminiscence Functions Scale at baseline and reported their health conditions, perceived state of health, life satisfaction, and psychological distress at subsequent points of measurement. A structural equation model was computed to identify direct and indirect associations between reminiscence functions and health over time. RESULTS Self-negative reminiscence functions at baseline (T1) predicted physical health 8 months later (T2), whereas self-positive reminiscence functions at T1 predicted both physical health and psychological distress at T2. The associations among self-positive functions and subsequent physical and mental health were maintained over time. Additionally, longitudinal crossover was observed in which psychological distress at T2 predicted physical health at T3, controlling for physical and mental health at T2. CONCLUSIONS Findings confirm longitudinal associations among reminiscence functions and subsequent indicators of health. For older adults, this extends to both physical and mental health. Future research should examine the physiological mechanisms by which autobiographical memory affects health over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B King
- a IRMACS Centre , Simon Fraser University , Burnaby (BC) , Canada
| | | | - Sarah L Canham
- c Gerontology Research Centre , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver (BC) , Canada
| | - Norm O'Rourke
- d Department of Public Health and Center for Multidisciplinary Research On Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva Israel
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Shrira A. Parental PTSD, health behaviors and successful aging among offspring of Holocaust survivors. Psychiatry Res 2019; 271:265-271. [PMID: 30508670 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Unhealthy behaviors and physical morbidity are more common among trauma survivors, especially those who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study looked at the underexplored relationships between parental PTSD, unhealthy behaviors and aging of trauma survivors' offspring. Dyads of parents (mean age = 82.42) and offspring (mean age = 55.48) reported PTSD symptoms, health behaviors and completed indices of successful aging. Dyads were divided into three groups: Holocaust survivors (HS) with probable PTSD (n = 28 dyads), HS without PTSD (n = 86 dyads) and comparison parents without PTSD (n = 73 dyads). Relative to the other groups, HS parents with probable PTSD and their offspring reported more unhealthy behaviors. Serial mediation models showed that the effect of parental PTSD on offspring successful aging was mediated by both parental and offspring unhealthy behaviors. Findings remained significant after controlling for background characteristics and offspring PTSD. This study provides preliminary evidence that PTSD is related to unhealthy behaviors across generations in HS families. Possible mechanisms for such intergenerational effect and its clinical implication are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Shrira
- The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel.
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Morton D, van Rooyen D, Venter D, Andersson L. Social determinants of subjective well-being among young adults living in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2018.1509515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Morton
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Dalena van Rooyen
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Danie Venter
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Lena Andersson
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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O'Rourke N, Heisel MJ, Canham SL, Sixsmith A, Yaghoubi-Shahir H, King DB. Psychometric validation of the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS) among older adults with bipolar disorder. Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:794-801. [PMID: 28436681 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1317333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Across age groups, bipolar disorder (BD) carries the greatest risk of death by suicide of all psychiatric conditions; 25%-50% of those with BD will make one or more suicide attempt. Psychometrically sound instruments are required to reliably measure suicide ideation and risk of self-harm for older adults with BD. For this study, we validate the geriatric suicide ideation scale (GSIS) with adults 50+ years with BD. METHODS We recruited a global sample of 220 older adults with BD (M = 58.50 years of age) over 19 days using socio-demographically targeted, social media advertising and online data collection. To demonstrate the construct validation of GSIS responses by older adults with BD, we computed correlations and performed regression analyses to identify predictors of suicide ideation. RESULTS Our analyses support a four-factor model of responses to the GSIS (ideation, death ideation, loss of personal and social worth, and perceived meaning in life) measuring a higher order latent construct. Older adults with BD reporting low satisfaction with life and current depressive symptoms, and who misuse alcohol, report significantly higher levels of suicide ideation. Sleep quality and cognitive failures are also correlated with GSIS responses. CONCLUSIONS Results support the factorial validity of the GSIS with older adults with BD. Similar to other populations, the GSIS measures a four-factor structure of suicide ideation. Across BD subtypes, the GSIS appears to reliably measure suicide ideation among older adults with BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norm O'Rourke
- a Department of Public Health and Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel
| | - Marnin J Heisel
- b Department of Psychiatry , University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute , London , Canada
| | - Sarah L Canham
- c Gerontology Research Centre , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver (BC) , Canada
| | - Andrew Sixsmith
- d STAR Institute, Simon Fraser University , Vancouver (BC) , Canada
| | | | - David B King
- e IRMACS Centre , Simon Fraser University , Burnaby (BC) , Canada
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O'Rourke N, Carmel S, Bachner YG. Does early life trauma affect how depression is experienced by Holocaust survivors in late life? Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:662-668. [PMID: 28166420 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1286458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Existing research indicates that early life trauma increases the likelihood of depression in later life. This includes children who survived the Nazi Holocaust living in Israel today. For this study, we set out to examine whether early life trauma affects both levels of depression symptomatology and the relative prominence of certain facets of depression as compared to other older adults in Israel and Canada. METHOD For this study we recruited 295 Holocaust survivors (HS), 205 other Israelis and 335 older Canadians each of whom completed Radloff's (1977) Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D). The CES-D measures four distinct factors: Depressive affect, absence of well-being, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal rejection. Israeli and Canadian comparison participants were screened to ensure they had not experienced early life trauma. RESULTS As anticipated, levels of depressive symptoms reported by HS were significantly greater than other Israelis and older Canadians. Moreover, the latent structure of depression as measured by the CES-D differs for HS. Depressive affect and the absence of well-being appear to distinguish depression among HS. Somatic symptoms do not differ, however, and interpersonal rejection seems less germane to depression as experienced by HS compared to both comparison samples. CONCLUSION Findings support our assertion that early life trauma affects not only levels of depressive symptoms but also that these survivors of genocide experience depression differently than other Israelis and older Canadians. We discuss the implications of early life trauma for mental health in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norm O'Rourke
- a Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel.,b Department of Public Health , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel
| | - Sara Carmel
- a Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel.,b Department of Public Health , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel
| | - Yaacov G Bachner
- a Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel.,b Department of Public Health , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Be'er Sheva , Israel
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12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Life satisfaction is a core component of well-being. Across age groups, satisfaction with life was found to be integral to individual mental and physical health. Surprisingly, there appears to be little or no association between age and life satisfaction. Recent longitudinal research suggests that life satisfaction may even increase in late life. This is known as the paradox of well-being. OBJECTIVE To compare levels of life satisfaction reported by Israeli Holocaust survivors (HS) vis-à-vis other older Israelis and older Canadians. DESIGN We interviewed 295 HS, 205 other older Israelis, and 335 older Canadians each of whom completed the Life Satisfaction Scale with items measuring both concurrent and retrospective aspects. Separate confirmatory factor analytic models were computed for each group. RESULTS Overall, levels of life satisfaction were indistinguishable across groups. Both concurrent and retrospective items contributed significantly to measurement of a single latent construct. Yet differences between groups in the latent structure of response to certain scale items emerged. CONCLUSIONS It may be that HS report high life satisfaction not despite, but because of, experiencing early life trauma, juxtaposing early years with the comparatively good conditions of their lives today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaacov G Bachner
- 1 Yaacov G. Bachner, PhD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Sara Carmel
- 2 Sara Carmel, MPH, PhD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Norm O'Rourke
- 3 Norm O'Rourke, PhD, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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O’Rourke N, Heisel MJ, Canham SL, Sixsmith A. Predictors of suicide ideation among older adults with bipolar disorder. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187632. [PMID: 29145409 PMCID: PMC5690620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bipolar disorder (BD) carries the greatest risk of death by suicide of all psychiatric conditions as 25%-50% of those with BD will make one or more suicide attempt, and about 15% will intentionally end their lives. Among young adults with BD, substance misuse, medication non-adherence, age at onset, and comorbid psychiatric conditions each predict self-harm. It is currently unclear if these same factors or others predict suicide ideation among older adults with BD. METHODS We recruited a global sample of 220 older adults with BD over 19 days using socio-demographically targeted, social media advertising and online data collection (Mean = 58.50, SD = 5.42; range 50 to 81 years). Path analyses allowed us to identify direct and indirect predictors of suicide ideation among older adults with BD. RESULTS Cognitive failures (perception, memory, and motor function), depressive symptoms, alcohol misuse, and dissatisfaction with life as direct predictors of suicide ideation; duration of BD symptoms and medication non-adherence emerged as indirect predictors. Of note, the significant impact of sleep on suicide ideation is indirect via depressive symptoms, cognitive failures, medication non-adherence and life dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS As with young adults with BD, alcohol misuse and medication non-adherence emerged as significant predictors of suicide ideation. In addition, cognitive failures directly and indirectly predict suicide ideation in this sample of older adults with BD. Population aging and treatment efficacy are leading to ever growing numbers of older adults with BD. Both direct and indirect predictors of suicide ideation need to be considered in future BD research and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norm O’Rourke
- Department of Public Health and Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel
- * E-mail:
| | - Marnin J. Heisel
- Department of Psychiatry University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah L. Canham
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrew Sixsmith
- STAR Institute, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
| | - BADAS Study Team
- IRMACS Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Canham SL, Peres H, O'Rourke N, King DB, Wertman A, Carmel S, Bachner YG. Why Do Holocaust Survivors Remember What They Remember? THE GERONTOLOGIST 2016; 57:1158-1165. [PMID: 27927727 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnw131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Canham
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hagit Peres
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ashkelon Academic College, Israel
| | - Norm O'Rourke
- Department of Public Health
- Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- IRMACS Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David B King
- IRMACS Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Annette Wertman
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Müller HH, Moeller S, Jenderek K, Stroebel A, Wiendieck K, Sperling W. Differences in Intrusive Memory Experiences in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder after Single, Re- and Prolonged Traumatization. Front Psychol 2016; 7:865. [PMID: 27375541 PMCID: PMC4901038 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrusive memory experiences (IMEs) are a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sensory perceptions of IMEs in the PTSD context vary substantially. The present research examined 20 patients with a single trauma, 20 re-traumatized patients and 80 Holocaust-traumatized patients who suffered from PTSD. Our results revealed significant differences in IME frequency based on the types of trauma experience. The findings suggest that patients with prolonged (Holocaust) traumata suffered from visual (65%) and combined visual/acoustic intrusive memories (29%), whereas visual memory experiences were most frequent (90%) among single-trauma patients. The trauma experience and the intrusive memory trigger stimulus were interdependent. The type of trauma critically affects the traumatic experience. Future studies should focus on these findings to improve PTSD therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helge H Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences - University Hospital - Karl-Jaspers-Klinik, Medical Campus University of Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn Germany
| | - Sebastian Moeller
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany
| | - Konstanze Jenderek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany
| | - Armin Stroebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany
| | - Kurt Wiendieck
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sperling
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen Germany
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