Early Life Traumatic Events and Holistic Resilience in a Veteran Population

Abstract

The experience of early life traumatic events (ELT) – before age 18 – is common among US military veterans and increases the risk of developing adverse psychological and physiological states in adulthood. Fortunately, not every individual who experiences ELT develops adverse outcomes, suggesting that there may be specific mechanisms that increase or decrease an individual’s risk for poor outcomes. This study examined the mechanisms by which some emerge resilient and others do not, even in the face of ELT. Specifically, this study examined whether (1) ELT is predictive of holistic resilience – the result of successfully responding to and adapting following traumatic events and adversity, both psychologically and physiologically, through a dynamic process by and between multiple systems – in a Veteran population, (2) categorizing ELT as either interpersonal or non-interpersonal differently predicts holistic resilience, and (3) identified factors of resilience act as mediators and/or moderators in the relationship between ELT and holistic resilience. Method: Cross-sectional data of 706 Veterans, aged 18 – 65, with and without a history of ELT, from the Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders study were analyzed. ANOVA models were used to explore differences between the following groups: ELT, interpersonal ELT (IP-ELT), non-interpersonal ELT (nonIP-ELT), and no ELT. Linear regression models examined the association of each group and outcomes associated with experiencing ELT while controlling for confounders. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the potential roles of identified resilience factors. Results: This study found overall ELT was a weak predictor of holistic resilience. However, when classified into interpersonal and non-interpersonal categories, IP-ELT emerged as a strong predictor of holistic resilience. The mediation and moderation analyses revealed that (a) increased levels of physical activity moderated the relationship between IP-ELT and metabolic syndrome (MetS); (b) anger regulation mediated all psychological outcomes; (c) social support and meaning and purpose mediated all psychological outcomes and CRP; and (d) psychosocial functioning mediated all psychological outcomes, c-reactive protein, and MetS. Among these, and consistent with prior research, psychosocial functioning, social support, and the ability to find meaning and purpose in life were the most robust factors of holistic resilience. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that specifically experiencing interpersonal early life traumatic events is predictive of decreased holistic resilience. Furthermore, an individual’s ability to regulate anger, engage in physical activity, display healthy psychosocial functioning, maintain and engage with a social support system, and find meaning and purpose in life either mediated or moderated the relationship between interpersonal early life traumatic events and resilient outcomes.