Researcher(s)
- Logan Szelestei, Human Services, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Heather Farmer, College of Education and Human Development, University of Delaware
Abstract
Background: Lifetime trauma is associated with worse physical and psychological health. However, no studies to date have explored whether greater exposure to lifetime trauma impacts purpose in life, a critical psychosocial resource linked to healthy aging. Lifetime trauma is more common in racialized groups, yet it is unclear whether this association varies by race/ethnicity. This study sought to address these gaps using a national study of midlife and older adults.
Methods: This study utilized life history and core data from 3,035 White, Black, and Hispanic participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally-representative survey of midlife and older adults. Lifetime trauma was measured with a count of 11 exposures throughout the lifespan (e.g., loss of a loved one, experiencing a natural disaster). Linear regression models assessed the relationship between lifetime trauma and purpose in life, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and educational attainment. We then introduced a lifetime trauma x race/ethnicity interaction term to the previous model to test whether lifetime trauma differentially influenced purpose in life across racial/ethnic groups.
Results: Approximately 27.18% reported no lifetime trauma while 44.31% reported 2+ lifetime traumas and there were significant racial/ethnic differences in lifetime trauma (p < .001), with Black and Hispanic participants reporting more lifetime trauma. Regression analyses revealed that lifetime trauma exposure was negatively associated with purpose in life (b = -0.06, p < .001). Furthermore, analyses showed a non-significant lifetime trauma x race/ethnicity interaction term.
Discussion: Our study showed that lifetime trauma was a significant factor that reduced purpose in life among this national sample of midlife and older adults, and that the association did not vary by race/ethnicity. Further research could explore how factors like emotional support or life satisfaction affect this relationship, which may help shape intervention and policy efforts to protect purpose in life.