9-11, Personal Stress, Mental Health, and Sense of Control Among Older Adults

Fredric D. Wolinsky; Kathleen W. Wyrwich; Kurt Kroenke; Ajit N. Babu; William M. Tierney

doi:10.1093/geronb/58.3.S146

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9-11, Personal Stress, Mental Health, and Sense of Control Among Older Adults

Journal article

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9-11, Personal Stress, Mental Health, and Sense of Control Among Older Adults

Fredric D. Wolinsky, Kathleen W. Wyrwich, Kurt Kroenke, Ajit N. Babu and William M. Tierney

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, Vol.58(3), pp.S146-S150

05/2003

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/58.3.S146

PMID: 12730315

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Abstract

Objectives. We assessed whether the events of 9-11 affected the personal stress, mental health, or sense of control of older adults participating in an ongoing longitudinal study, and whether baseline characteristics were associated with the magnitude of any such changes. Methods. Personal stress, mental health, and sense of control were measured at baseline and at six bimonthly follow-up interviews among 1,662 patients. Of these, 437 had the opportunity to complete three interviews before and after 9-11, with 291 (67%) completing all six. We performed graphic comparisons, paired t tests, classification based on standard errors of measurement (SEMs), and multiple linear regressions for patients who completed all six interviews. Results. No noticeable changes in aggregate trends for personal stress or mental health were associated with 9-11. However, 9-11 was associated with an aggregate decline in sense of control. This decline in sense of control was greater among those who were working for pay, had more comfortable incomes, and reported greater religiosity. Discussion. Older adults more closely resembling those who died during 9-11 and those with greater levels of religiosity were most likely to have their sense of control affected by this catastrophic event.

Details

Title: Subtitle: 9-11, Personal Stress, Mental Health, and Sense of Control Among Older Adults
Creators: Fredric D. Wolinsky - Saint Louis University
Kathleen W. Wyrwich - Saint Louis University
Kurt Kroenke - University of Indianapolis
Ajit N. Babu - Saint Louis University
William M. Tierney - Indiana University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, Vol.58(3), pp.S146-S150
Publisher: Oxford University Press
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/58.3.S146
PMID: 12730315
ISSN: 1079-5014
eISSN: 1758-5368
Language: English
Date published: 05/2003
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy
Record Identifier: 9984363663602771

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