Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Older Adults: A Critical Review

Bunny Falk; Michel Hersen; Vincent B. Van Hasselt

doi:10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5

Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Older Adults: A Critical Review

Bunny Falk
, Michel Hersen
, Vincent B. Van Hasselt

College of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Three trauma-related areas (combat, natural and man-made disasters, and the Holocaust) are reviewed to ascertain the extent to which assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been carried out with an older adult population. Investigations that include subjects who are at least 50 years of age were considered for selection in each area. Although no single assessment strategy emerged as a reliable evaluative tool, many studies in the three areas found that older adults meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD-delayed onset as long as 45 years after experiencing such trauma. Lack of consistency in the findings is discussed in terms of methodological problems, differing theoretical perspectives, and revisions in the criteria for diagnosis from DSM-III to DSM-III-R. Recommendations for future research are made with proposed DSM-IV changes in criteria and subtype considered.

Original language	American English
Journal	Clinical Psychology Review
Volume	14
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5
State	Published - Jan 1 1994

Keywords

Aging
Assessment
Measurement
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychotherapy

Disciplines

Psychology

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5

Cite this

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title = "Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Older Adults: A Critical Review",

abstract = " Three trauma-related areas (combat, natural and man-made disasters, and the Holocaust) are reviewed to ascertain the extent to which assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been carried out with an older adult population. Investigations that include subjects who are at least 50 years of age were considered for selection in each area. Although no single assessment strategy emerged as a reliable evaluative tool, many studies in the three areas found that older adults meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD-delayed onset as long as 45 years after experiencing such trauma. Lack of consistency in the findings is discussed in terms of methodological problems, differing theoretical perspectives, and revisions in the criteria for diagnosis from DSM-III to DSM-III-R. Recommendations for future research are made with proposed DSM-IV changes in criteria and subtype considered. ",

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AU - Van Hasselt, Vincent B.

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N2 - Three trauma-related areas (combat, natural and man-made disasters, and the Holocaust) are reviewed to ascertain the extent to which assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been carried out with an older adult population. Investigations that include subjects who are at least 50 years of age were considered for selection in each area. Although no single assessment strategy emerged as a reliable evaluative tool, many studies in the three areas found that older adults meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD-delayed onset as long as 45 years after experiencing such trauma. Lack of consistency in the findings is discussed in terms of methodological problems, differing theoretical perspectives, and revisions in the criteria for diagnosis from DSM-III to DSM-III-R. Recommendations for future research are made with proposed DSM-IV changes in criteria and subtype considered.

AB - Three trauma-related areas (combat, natural and man-made disasters, and the Holocaust) are reviewed to ascertain the extent to which assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been carried out with an older adult population. Investigations that include subjects who are at least 50 years of age were considered for selection in each area. Although no single assessment strategy emerged as a reliable evaluative tool, many studies in the three areas found that older adults meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD-delayed onset as long as 45 years after experiencing such trauma. Lack of consistency in the findings is discussed in terms of methodological problems, differing theoretical perspectives, and revisions in the criteria for diagnosis from DSM-III to DSM-III-R. Recommendations for future research are made with proposed DSM-IV changes in criteria and subtype considered.

KW - Aging

KW - Assessment

KW - Measurement

KW - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

KW - Psychotherapy

UR - https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/265

UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5

U2 - 10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5

DO - 10.1016/0272-7358(94)90034-5

M3 - Article

SN - 0272-7358

VL - 14

JO - Clinical Psychology Review

JF - Clinical Psychology Review

ER -

Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Older Adults: A Critical Review

Abstract

Keywords

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