Abstract
ObjectivesMeta-analytic evidence based on cross-sectional investigations between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) demonstrates that the two concepts are positively related and that ethnic minorities report greater PTG. Few longitudinal studies have quantified this relationship so the evidence is limited regarding the potential benefit PTG may have on post-traumatic adjustment and whether differences between ethnic groups exist.MethodsThe current study attempts to fill a substantial gap in the literature by exploring the relationship between PTG and PTSD symptom clusters longitudinally using a nationally representative cohort of 1613 Israelis and Palestinian Citizens of Israel (PCI) interviewed via telephone on three measurement occasions during one year. Latent cross-lagged structural models estimated the relationship between PTG and each PTSD symptom cluster, derived from confirmatory factor analysis, representing latent and statistically invariant PTSD symptom factors, best representing PTSD for both ethnic groups.ResultsPTG was not associated with less PTSD symptom severity in any of the four PTSD clusters, for Jews and PCI. In contrast, PTSD symptom severity assessed earlier was related to later reported PTG in both groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that PTSD symptoms contribute to greater reported PTG, but that PTG does not provide a salutatory benefit by reducing symptoms of PTSD.
Highlights
The Al Aqsa Intifada, a period of conflict in Israel lasting close to five years, produced an environment in which high numbers of civilians were repeatedly exposed to bombings and terror attacks
posttraumatic growth (PTG) was not associated with less posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity in any of the four PTSD clusters, for Jews and Palestinian Citizens of Israel (PCI)
This study demonstrates that PTSD symptoms contribute to greater reported PTG, but that PTG does not provide a salutatory benefit by reducing symptoms of PTSD
Summary
The Al Aqsa Intifada, a period of conflict in Israel lasting close to five years, produced an environment in which high numbers of civilians were repeatedly exposed to bombings and terror attacks. The high levels of exposure among the general population highlighted the clinical significance of understanding the nuances in the association between mental health outcomes and repeated, and long lasting, exposure to terrorism. Studies have documented the association between exposure to political violence and terrorism and mental health problems [2,3,4]. Among the most investigated of these problems is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is important to evaluate the pathological responses to exposure, it is well known that relatively few people exposed to terrorism develop PTSD [5], even in populations that face continued exposure and chronic conditions of deprivation [6]. A burgeoning effort has been undertaken to expand Tedeschi and Calhoun’s [7] theoretical work on possible positive adaptations that emerge as a result of coping with potentially traumatic events (PTE), a construct they named posttraumatic growth (PTG)
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