Caregivers' psychological suffering and posttraumatic growth after patient death.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the association between caregivers' psychological suffering and posttraumatic growth (PTG) after patient death. Participants were a total of 254 caregivers, including nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, and care workers. Higher psychological suffering, in terms of expanding self-consciousness, change of values, and spiritual sublimation, had a positive correlation with PTG. For nurses and nursing assistants, the change of values and spiritual sublimation had a positive correlation with PTG. For social workers, the higher self-consciousness was associated with greater PTG. For care workers, the expanded self-consciousness and lower helplessness had a positive correlation with PTG. These findings will serve as a basis for the development of supportive programs to assist caregivers in improving PTG after patient death.