Abstract
This study addresses the escalating concern of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the elderly population in Ekiti State, Nigeria. As the country experiences a growing number of older individuals, understanding and mitigating PTSD in this demographic is of paramount importance. Despite this urgency, there is a significant gap in the literature pertaining to PTSD among older Nigerians. To fill this void, our research investigates the impact of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) strategies on perceived social support (PSS), life satisfaction (LS), and PTSD in the elderly. Our study explores the relationships between PSS and LS, considering their potential roles in alleviating the psychological impact of trauma-related disorders. We also examine how age groups moderate the relationship between SOC and PTSD. Additionally, we explore the indirect effects of PSS and LS on the SOC-PTSD relationship. Conducting a cross-sectional study, we collected data from 321 individuals aged 65 and above (260 males, 61 females) across four Local Government Areas. Our data collection instruments included socio-demographic variables, the SOC instrument, the PTSD scale, the Multidimensional scale of PSS, and the LS index-z. Utilizing the Hayes Model 5 macro process for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis, our results highlight the significant moderating effect of age groups on the SOC-PTSD relationship. Furthermore, we find that PSS and LS partially mediate the relationships between SOC and PTSD, with SOC directly influencing both PTSD and PSS. These findings carry substantial practical implications and provide avenues for future research. In light of our study, we offer recommendations for addressing the mental health needs of Ekiti State's elderly population, emphasizing the importance of further studies in the critical field of geronpsychology.