Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The relationship between social exclusion and post-traumatic stress reactions is a particularly timely issue, warranting greater attention in the trauma literature. Research with military veterans and refugee groups indicates that the social marginalization resulting from racial and ethnic discrimination can exacerbate post-traumatic stress symptoms. This suggests an increased potential for emergent or recurrent trauma reactions in these populations, as previous research has documented older adults’ unique risk for social exclusion as a consequence of ageism. The issue takes on greater relevance due to the unprecedented increase in the older adult population worldwide. Healthcare and social service providers can play a critical role in mitigating the psychosocial factors associated with ageism that may exacerbate trauma reactions.