Characteristics and Correlates of Ten-Year Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Older U.S. Military Veterans

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the nature and correlates of 10-year trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in older U.S. military Veterans. Design and SettingA nationally representative web-based survey of older U.S. Veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study over 5 waves between 2011 and 2021. ParticipantsA total of 1,843 U.S. Veterans aged 50 and older (mean age = 67). MeasurementsPTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist. Self-report measures at baseline assessed sociodemographic characteristics; trauma exposures; psychiatric and substance use disorders; mental, cognitive, and physical functioning; and psychosocial factors including expectations of aging. Latent growth mixture modeling identified the nature and correlates of 10-year PTSD symptom trajectories. ResultsMost of the sample had no/low PTSD symptoms (88.7%), while 6.0% had consistently subthreshold symptoms, 2.7% consistently high symptoms, and 2.6% increasing symptoms. Relative to the no/low symptom group, the subthreshold and high symptom groups reported more medical conditions and cognitive difficulties, with younger age and more lifetime traumatic events additionally linked to the high symptom trajectory. Relative to the no/low symptom group, Veterans with increasing symptoms were more likely to report functional disability and lifetime nicotine use disorder, cognitive difficulties, negative expectations regarding physical and emotional aging, and traumatic events over the study period. ConclusionsDespite high rates of trauma exposure, most older Veterans do not evidence symptomatic PTSD trajectories; however, about 11% do. Results underscore the importance of assessing PTSD symptoms in this population and considering longitudinal trajectories as well as associated risk and protective factors.