Distinguishing late-onset stress symptomatology from posttraumatic stress disorder in older combat veterans

Aging Ment Health. 2013;17(2):173-9. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2012.717259. Epub 2012 Sep 10.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the discriminant validity of late-onset stress symptomatology (LOSS) in terms of its distinction from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Method: The LOSS Scale, PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version, and related psychological measures were administered to 562 older male combat veterans via a mailed questionnaire. Analyses focused on: (a) comparing associations of LOSS and PTSD with other psychological variables and (b) examining a hypothesized curvilinear relationship between LOSS and PTSD scores.

Results: Compared to PTSD, LOSS was more strongly associated with concerns about retirement and less strongly associated with depression, anxiety, sense of mastery, and satisfaction with life. LOSS also demonstrated a curvilinear relationship with PTSD, such that the positive association between LOSS and PTSD diminished at higher levels of PTSD.

Conclusion: LOSS is conceptually and statistically more strongly associated with a normative late-life stressor than is PTSD, but is less strongly related to mental health symptoms and emotional well-being. Additionally, LOSS seems more related to subthreshold PTSD than it is to clinically significant PTSD. The present findings support the discriminant validity of LOSS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Combat Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Combat Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Combat Disorders* / psychology
  • Depression* / diagnosis
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Depression* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Retirement / psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Assessment
  • Social Adjustment
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological* / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological* / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological* / etiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Veterans / psychology
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data
  • Veterans Health / statistics & numerical data