TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2007//
TI  - Wartime stressors and mental health symptoms as predictors of late-life mortality in World War II survivors
JO  - Journal of affective disorders
A1  - Bramsen, Inge
A1  - Deeg, Dorly J. H.
A1  - van der Ploeg, Eleonore
A1  - Fransman, Sonja
SP  - 121
EP  - 129
VL  - 103
IS  - 1-3
N2  - BACKGROUND: Pathways through which wartime stress leads to excess mortality have not been examined so far. The current study examines wartime stress in relation to late-life mortality among 1448 World War II survivors, and potential mediating effects of mental health symptoms that were assessed in 1992. METHODS: In 1992, a community survey was held. In 2002, vital status was checked. RESULTS: The highest hazard rates of mortality were found among military veterans and war survivors who had been seriously wounded. Posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, and, particularly, depression were associated with a higher hazard rate. Depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints appeared to act as mediators between the wartime stressor 'permanent disability or illness' and survival time. LIMITATIONS: The results may not be generalizable to all World War II survivors since the sample was restricted to those who survived until 1992. In addition, there was a considerable level of non-response, and the study used self-report data on wartime exposure and psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to wartime stress as well as mental health symptoms in the long-term aftermath of war and violence are significant predictors of late-life mortality. Wounded survivors and those with a permanent disability or illness are particularly vulnerable.<p /> <p>Language: en</p> 
LA  - en
SN  - 0165-0327
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2007.01.014
ID  - ref1
ER  -