Factors Associated with the Posttraumatic Growth of Psychiatrists Who Have Experienced Patient Suicide: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Previous studies have suggested that psychiatrists undergo posttraumatic growth after experiencing patient suicide. However, research remains scant on the posttraumatic growth of psychiatrists who have experienced patient suicide. Thus, this study examined the factors associated with the posttraumatic growth of psychiatrists who have experienced patient suicide. The sample comprised 39 psychiatrists, and data were collected through an online self-report survey. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Study results demonstrate that being older, having more clinical experience, having more experience with patient suicide, and receiving supportive supervision were associated with higher levels of posttraumatic growth among psychiatrists who have experienced patient suicide. However, higher levels of posttraumatic stress were associated with lower levels of posttraumatic growth. In conclusion, there is a need to increase support for psychiatrists who have experienced patient suicide to help them overcome occupational trauma and enhance posttraumatic growth. This study suggests several policy and practical implications for enhancing the posttraumatic growth of psychiatrists.