Older Adults experience of Trauma Symptoms
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Older Adults experience of Trauma Symptoms
IRAS ID
350935
Contact name
Alexander Fradera
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Most research on the assessment and treatment of PTSD has focused primarily on younger adult populations. The limited research exploring PTSD in older adults suggests that the prevalence of PTSD is lower in older adults in comparison to younger adults (Pless Kaiser et al., 2019). Generational differences in reporting and endorsing symptoms, and resilience factors related to age have been proposed as potential reasons for the lower rate of PTSD in older adults (Elshaikh et al., 2023; Frueh et al., 2014). However, it is worth considering whether the lower prevalence is not solely attributable to generational differences and improved coping mechanisms but may also be influenced by differences in symptomatology in older adults. This study aims to explore how PTSD presents in older adults and whether they report a change in their symptomology and management of symptoms over time.
Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to explore older adults experience and management of trauma symptoms and whether they have noticed changes in symptoms and coping strategies over time. Purposive sampling will be used to recruit to the project, with Clinical Psychologists in the included services informing service users of the project and provide information sheets to those interested in taking part. Recruitment will take place at Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Older People’s Mental Health Services and 'the Anchor', Glasgow’s adult Psychological Trauma Service. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0064
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion