PTSD symptoms in widowed women with lifetime trauma experiences

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether widowed status was associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of older adult women who had at least one traumatic event over their lifetime. Symptoms of depression and PTSD were examined in a nationally representative sample of 473 older adult widowed and married women. Consistent albeit not universally statistically significant trends revealed increased symptoms of PTSD, but not depression. The results are discussed within the framework of recent bereavement literature (e. g., complicated bereavement versus depression).