Correlates of Resilience among Trauma-Affected Elderly Individuals in Buikwe District, Uganda

The ever-increasing burden of trauma among the elderly in sub-Saharan Africa, compounded by systemic neglect and eroding traditional support systems, presents a critical public health challenge. This study investigates the specific psychosocial factors that foster resilience in elderly individuals facing trauma within the Buikwe District, Uganda. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, data were collected from a purposive sample of 120 elderly participants (Mean age = 72.4, SD = 8.2), their primary caregivers (n=30), and local community therapists (n=10). Quantitative data, gathered using standardized surveys measuring perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), coping strategies (Brief COPE Inventory), and resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10), were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically to explore the lived experiences and cultural narratives of resilience. A significant strong positive correlation was found between the composite of social support, adaptive coping strategies, and cultural beliefs (ancestral reverence, community reciprocity) and resilience scores (r = .914, p < .01). Inconsistently, regression analysis also indicated that higher lifetime trauma exposure predicted higher resilience scores (β = .962, p = .000), suggesting the potential for post-traumatic growth within a supportive ecological niche. Qualitative findings explained this, revealing that robust familial and community networks mitigate trauma’s impact by providing practical aid and affirming self-worth, while culturally-grounded coping strategies, such as collective storytelling and traditional healing ceremonies, foster meaning-making. The study concludes that resilience in this demographic is not merely an individual trait but an emergent property of a supportive socio-cultural ecosystem. These findings advocate for integrating these community-based assets into tailored mental health interventions that synergize traditional support structures with evidence-based psychological therapies to enhance geriatric mental well-being in low-resource settings.