The mediating role of resilience in the association between trauma type and CPTSD among Swiss older adults

<b>Objective:</b> Limited research exists on the potentially differential associations of interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) in older adults. This study investigated both linear and curvilinear associations between trauma exposure (i.e. interpersonal versus non-interpersonal) and PTSD/DSO symptoms. It further tested whether psychological resilience mediates these relationships.<b>Method:</b> A total of <i>N</i> = 1,526 Swiss older adults (<i>M</i>_age = 72 years, <i>SD</i> = 6.20, range = 65-95 years) completed self-report measures, assessing interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma exposure with the <i>Life Events Checklist for DSM-5</i>, PTSD and DSO symptoms with the <i>International Trauma Questionnaire</i>, and psychological resilience with the <i>Brief Resilience Scale</i>.<b>Results:</b> Interpersonal trauma (44.9%) was less prevalent compared to non-interpersonal trauma exposure (80.9%). Both trauma types were positively associated with PTSD (interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.15, <i>p</i> < .001; non-interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.10, <i>p</i> < .001) and DSO (interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.12, <i>p</i> < .001; non-interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.06, <i>p</i> = .012) symptoms, and negatively associated with resilience (interpersonal: <i>β</i> = -0.06, <i>p</i> = .030; non-interpersonal: <i>β</i> = -0.07, <i>p</i> = .032). A curvilinear association was found between non-interpersonal trauma exposure and DSO symptoms (<i>β</i> = -0.05, <i>p</i> = .030). Resilience partially mediated the relationship between both trauma types and PTSD (interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> = .031; non-interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> = .037) and DSO (interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.03, <i>p</i> = .031; non-interpersonal: <i>β</i> = 0.02, <i>p</i> = .033) symptoms. Female gender was significantly associated with lower resilience (<i>β</i> = -0.14, <i>p</i> < .001).<b>Conclusion:</b> The findings underscore the enduring psychological impact of both interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma in later life. Resilience, as measured with a brief assessment, may serve as a protective factor against PTSD/DSO symptoms, highlighting its potential role in clinical interventions aimed at trauma-exposed older adults.