@article {11349, title = {The Impact of Military Service Exposures and Psychological Resilience on the Mental Health Trajectories of Older Male Veterans.}, journal = {Journal of Aging and Health}, volume = {33}, year = {2021}, pages = {237-248}, abstract = {

We examine the impact of exposure to the dead, dying, and wounded (DDW) during military service on the later-life depressive symptom trajectories of male United States veterans, using psychological resilience as an internal resource that potentially moderates negative consequences. The Health and Retirement Study (2006-2014) and linked Veteran Mail Survey were used to estimate latent growth curve models of depressive symptom trajectories, beginning at respondents{\textquoteright} first report of resilience. Veterans with higher levels of resilience do not have increased depressive symptoms in later life, despite previous exposure to DDW. Those with lower levels of resilience and previous exposure to DDW experience poorer mental health in later life. Psychological resilience is important for later-life mental health, particularly for veterans who endured potentially traumatic experiences. We discuss the importance acknowledging the role individual resources play in shaping adaptation to adverse life events and implications for mental health service needs.

}, keywords = {latent growth curves, life course}, issn = {1552-6887}, doi = {10.1177/0898264320975231}, author = {Urena, Stephanie and Miles G Taylor and Dawn C Carr} } @article {9771, title = {Early-Life Military Exposures and Functional Impairment Trajectories Among Older Male Veterans: The Buffering Effect of Psychological Resilience.}, journal = {Journal of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences \& Social Sciences}, year = {2019}, abstract = {

Objectives: Drawing on the life course framework and theoretical concept of resilience, we examine the impact of early-life service-related exposures (SREs) on later-life functional impairment trajectories among older U.S. male veterans. We conceptualize resilience as a psychological resource potentially moderating the lasting negative consequences of traumatic military exposures.

Method: Using the 2013 Veterans Mail Survey linked to the Health and Retirement Study 2006-2014 Leave Behind Questionnaire and RAND Data File (v.N), we estimate latent growth curve models of functional impairment trajectories.

Results: SRE to death has a persistent positive effect on functional limitations and activities of daily living limitations. Psychological resilience significantly moderates this association, such that veterans maintaining higher levels of resilience in the face of adverse exposures have considerably less functional impairment over time compared to their counterparts with low levels of resilience.

Discussion: Our findings point to the importance of psychological resilience in later life, especially within the realm of traumas occurring in early life. We discuss implications for current military training programs, stressing the importance of research considering individual resources and processes that promote adaptation in the face of adverse life events.

}, keywords = {Early Life, Functional limitations, Psychosocial, Resilience, Veterans}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gby029}, author = {Miles G Taylor and Urena, Stephanie and Dawn C Carr and Min, Stella} } @article {9355, title = {Adjustment to Widowhood and Loneliness Among Older Men: The Influence of Military Service.}, journal = {Gerontologist}, volume = {58}, year = {2018}, pages = {1085-1095}, abstract = {

Background and Objectives: Men are at higher risk of experiencing poorer adjustment to widowhood compared to women, a transition that is associated with increased loneliness. Military service may play an important role in how men process widowhood, particularly among current cohorts of older men. The present study explores whether military experiences relate to better adjustment to widowhood, that is, reduction of loneliness associated with widowhood for men. We examine (a) whether military experience, especially exposure to death, shapes changes in loneliness following widowhood relative to those without military experience, and (b) if any observed benefits of military experience are explained by greater social engagement.

Research Design and Methods: We use the Health and Retirement Study and linked Veterans Mail Survey to address respondents while they are continuously married (T1) and at widowhood four years later (T2) using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. To address our hypotheses, we examine whether military experience without exposure to death, and/or military experience with exposure to death moderates the overall negative effect of widowhood for loneliness relative to civilians.

Results: There is a significantly lower level of loneliness among veterans with exposure to death relative to civilians who become widowed; however, veterans without exposure to death remain similar to civilian widowers. Social engagement does not explain the benefits associated with military exposures for widowers.

Discussion and Implications: Although exposure to death early in life is traumatic, our research suggests that such adversity within the specific context of the military may help enhance resilience during the transition to widowhood.

}, keywords = {Bereavement, Depressive symptoms, Loneliness, Men{\textquoteright}s health, Resilience, Veterans, Widowhood}, issn = {1758-5341}, doi = {10.1093/geront/gnx110}, author = {Dawn C Carr and Urena, Stephanie and Miles G Taylor} }