Individual and community post-traumatic growth: A data-driven examination of person, process, and contextual factors.

Objectives: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and its opposite—post-traumatic depreciation (PTD)—may be treated as important indicators of the patient quality of life. In the absence of studies on both, PTG and PTD in cancer patients, we investigated (1) coping strategies and support effectiveness as predictors of PTG and PTD in post-mastectomy women, (2) homogeneous classes with different intensity of PTG and PTD symptoms, and (3) correlates of class membership.Methods: Coping strategies (Brief COPE), support effectiveness (SSE-Q), PTG (PTGI), and PTD (negatively reworded items of PTGI) were measured in 84 post-mastectomy women (mean age = 62.27, SD = 8.38). Multiple regression, two-step cluster, and multinomial logistic regression were applied.Results: PTG and PTD had unique predictors: time since diagnosis and positive emotion-focused coping predicted PTG (R2 = 0.24), while negative emotion-focused and avoidance-focused coping and low support effectiveness were linked to PTD (R2 = 0.14). Four groups of PTG × PTD symptoms were identified: high PTG low PTD group (52.4%), low PTG low PTD group (17.9%), high PTG high PTD group (15.5%), and low PTG high PTD group (14.3%). Higher emotion- and avoidance-focused coping was characteristic for the high PTD low PTG group (R2 = 0.41).Conclusion: Our findings shed light on the coexistence and unique predictors of PTG and PTD after mastectomy, indicating heterogeneity in PTG and PTD levels among post-mastectomy women.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) are possible reactions to exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) during military service. However, knowledge about patterns of both PTSS and PTG among female combat veterans is sparse. This study examines constellations of PTSS and PTG among Israeli female combat veterans, as well as military-related exposure and positive psychological correlates of these constellations. A volunteer sample of Israeli women combat veterans (n = 885) responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional design study. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify four profiles characterized by unique constellations of PTSS and PTG: moderate PTSS and high PTG (33%), moderate PTSS and moderate PTG (30%), low PTSS and high PTG (30%), and low PTSS and PTG (5.5%). Higher levels of combat experiences were associated with higher odds of inclusion in the moderate PTSS and high PTG and moderate PTSS and moderate PTG profiles. Moreover, compared to the other classes, both low PTSS and high PTG and moderate PTSS and high PTG classes were associated with higher levels of satisfaction with life and happiness psychological outcomes. The study's findings offer an overview of the complex pattern of associations between PTSS, PTG, and associated predictors and outcomes. Clinicians treating female veterans should be aware of the varying reactions to military service challenges, including the presence of moderate to high levels of PTG reactions in addition to PTSS.

Studies have shown that social support is positively associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG) among white cancer survivors. Whether the same relationship holds among Asian American cancer survivors and through what mechanism social support may influence PTG is unclear. This study examined the association between social support and PTG among Chinese American breast cancer survivors and proposed perceived stress as a mediator. Chinese American breast cancer survivors (n = 118) were recruited from Southern California. Participants' social support, perceived stress, and PTG were measured in a questionnaire package. Social support was associated with lower perceived stress (r= -0.34, P<.001) and higher PTG (r=0.44, P<.001). Perceived stress was negatively associated with PTG (r=-0.36, P< .001). Results from structural equation modeling supported the mediation model, with satisfactory model fit indices (χ37= 65.55, comparative fit index= 0.98, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.97, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.08). Both the indirect effect from social support to PTG via perceived stress (β = .07, P< .05) and the direct effect from social support and PTG (β= .40, P< .001) were statistically significant, suggesting a partial mediation effect of perceived stress between social support and PTG. The positive association between social support and Chinese American breast cancer survivors' PTG was supported. Our findings also suggested that social support may facilitate PTG through reduction of perceived stress. Interventions that help to enhance Chinese American breast cancer survivors' social support may also facilitate their PTG.

While research on the psychological experiences of infertility has focused almost exclusively on the negative aspects, clinical experience with individuals and couples facing infertility has demonstrated that personal gain can also arise from the struggle involved. This study examined whether individuals who struggle with infertility report posttraumatic growth (PTG), and if perceived availability of and satisfaction with social support are associated with such growth. Other correlates of PTG are reported as well. Using a cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of 121 individuals with infertility completed a background questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and the Social Support Questionnaire. While individuals reported moderate PTG, moderate availability of, and high satisfaction with social support, there was no significant association between the variables. Infertility-related variables emerged as central to explaining PTG with those with non-female related diagnoses and unexplained diagnoses demonstrating lower PTG than others (t = 2.96, t = 3.6, respectively, P < or = 0.05). Additionally, live birth deliveries was positively associated with PTG (r(2) = 0.22, P < or = 0.02), and those who engaged in clergy counseling had higher PTG than those who did not (t = 2.34, P < or = 0.02). Determinants were unexplained infertility (lower PTG) and number of live birth deliveries (higher PTG). In spite of limitations related to the convenience sampling, correlational design and subjective self-report nature of the data, findings suggest that individuals who suffer from infertility can experience personal growth. Further research will help identify correlates and provide guidance for mental health practitioners on counseling infertility patients to promote growth.

The study identified different patterns of symptom burden and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among patients with cancer and to explored the effects of sociodemographic, disease-related, and family resilience factors, which could provide reference for the development of personalized nursing measures. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 329 patients with cancer who were undergoing treatment. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to explore the patterns of symptom burden and PTG among patients with cancer, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of different patterns. Based on the fit indicators of LPA, a three-class pattern model of posttraumatic responses was shown to be optimal, including resisting, struggling, and growth groups. In the resisting group (34.34%), patients reported low symptom burden and low PTG; in the struggling group (19.15%), patients showed a high symptom burden and moderate PTG; in the growth group (46.51%), patients showed low symptom burden and high PTG. Moreover, patients with cancer with high levels of family resilience were more likely to fall into the struggling and growth groups. Specifically, those with lower scores in the optimistic attitude and higher scores in the family and social support dimension of family resilience were more likely to fall into the struggling group, whereas those with lower scores in the transcendence and spiritual belief dimensions of family resilience were more likely to fall into the resisting group. Additionally, patients with at least three children were more likely to fall into the struggling group. This study showed heterogeneity in symptom burden and PTG patterns among patients with cancer. Patients' growth must include both psychological growth and the mitigated symptom burden. Family factors may be intervention targets to improve the growth patterns.

Post-traumatic Growth (PTG) is the positive psychological change that may occur after a highly stressful situation that shakes a person's core beliefs about the world. During 2020, the United States experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and a highly contentious political election, both of which have the potential to disrupt core beliefs and evoke perceptions of PTG. Post-traumatic growth, core belief disruption, perceived social support from humans and pets, coping strategies, and stressful events were assessed in 201 participants from the United States (Mage: 35.39, SD: 14.60) at four time points from April 2020 (T1) until April 2021 (T4). While total PTG did not significantly change from Time 1 to Time 4, perceptions of personal strength and new possibilities increased, as did core belief disruption, and the use of coping strategies decreased. Higher PTG was reported by those who owned pets, those who knew someone who had been hospitalized due to COVID-19, and those who knew someone who had died of COVID-19. While rating COVID-19 or politics as the most stressful event at Time 4 did not correspond to differences in PTG, those who perceived the event to be resolved had higher PTG than those who perceived the event to be ongoing. Having COVID-19 personally and vaccination status was not associated with differences in Post-traumatic Growth. PTG at Time 4 was predicted by core belief disruption and social support in the full sample and in the pet owners only sample, and by support from video conferencing for the full sample only. Time 4 PTG was also predicted by core belief disruption, problem-focused coping, and avoidance coping. Results are discussed in terms of the PTG theoretical model. Additionally, implications for interventions aimed at fostering psychological growth, including through non-traditional forms of social support (i.e., remote communication and perceived support from pets) are addressed.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible positive consequence of a traumatic event, such as cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) may be particularly traumatic, given its adverse effects on functional, psychological, and social wellbeing. We investigated the extent of PTG, factors associated with PTG, and associations between PTG and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in HNC survivors. HNC survivors (ICD10 C00-C14, C32), identified from the population-based National Cancer Registry Ireland, completed a postal survey. PTG was assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTG-I) and HRQoL with FACT-G and FACT-H&N. Associations between socio-economic characteristics, social support, and clinical variables and PTG were examined using multivariable linear regression. Total HRQoL scores were compared in those with none-low PTG vs moderate-high PTG. A total of 583 survivors participated (response rate=59%). The mean PTG score was 55.74 (95%CI 53.15-58.33); 60% had moderate-high PTG. Survivors scored highest in the PTG-I domain appreciation of life. In multivariable analysis, being female, being younger, having more social support, and having cancer-related financial stress were significantly associated with more PTG. HRQoL was significantly higher in those with moderate-high than no-little PTG (P<.01). A notable proportion of HNC survivors report PTG but growth is, on average, lower than reported for other cancers. Nonetheless, higher PTG appears related to better HRQoL. Further research would be valuable to understand the pathways by which HNC may lead to PTG and inform development of strategies to support and encourage PTG in this survivor population.

Background. The phenomenon of post-traumatic growth (PTG), which consists of significant positive changes in the personality due to the experience of a difficult life crisis, is currently considered an effective countermeasure to the destructive consequences of psycho-emotional stress. Purpose – is to determine the individual psychological predictors of PTG among medical students in the context of a large-scale social crisis. Materials and methods. In compliance with the requirements of biomedical ethics and based on informed consent, an anonymous questionnaire and psychodiagnostic examination of 152 medical students was conducted during October– November 2024. According to the subjective assessment of the severity of the stress experienced by an individual during their life, the students were distributed as follows: 7.2% of the surveyed assessed the most severe stress they experienced in their lives as mild, 23.7% as moderate, 42.8% as severe, and 26.3% as very severe. The psychodiagnostic tools of the study consisted of The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) questionnaire, the Mini-Mult questionnaire, and the J.B. Rotter locus of control measurement questionnaire. Results. It was found that the individual-personal profiles of students with low and high PTG are somewhat similar, with differences in the expressiveness of character traits, which are manifested by significantly higher indicators on the Mini-Mult scales: hypochondria (53.49 ± 10.01 points in students with low PTG vs 48.80 ± 10.18 in students with high PTG, p = 0.002), depression (49.08 ± 11.51 points vs 42.17 ± 9.81, p &lt; 0.0001), hysteria (51.70 ± 10.16 points vs 45.77 ± 9.71, p &lt; 0.0001), psychopathy (51.09 ± 14.69 points vs 44.44 ± 13.83, p = 0.008), rigidity (49.40 ± 11.66 points vs 44.63 ± 10.25, p = 0.018), psychasthenia (52.31 ± 12.01 points vs 45.07 ± 12.36, p &lt; 0.0001) and schizoidism (53.19 ± 10.78 points vs 48.28 ± 10.74, p = 0.014). Students with low PTG were characterized by the dominance of the external locus of control, which is associated with the tendency to consider one’s own successes or failures as the result of mainly external forces, passivity, a sense of one’s own inferiority, low self-esteem and self-respect, a low level of aspirations and a desire for external support and help: 12.61 ± 3.90 points vs 10.99 ± 3.19 (p = 0.004). Students with high PTG were characterized by a greater expressiveness of the internal locus of control, which is associated with the belief in the ability to influence the course of events through their own activity, a high level of aspirations, activity in achieving goals, independence in judgments and actions, the desire to change reality, high self-esteem, and orientation to their own efforts to overcome problems: 12.00 ± 3.20 points vs 10.39 ± 3.90 for students with low PTG (p = 0.005). Correlation analysis revealed significant inverse correlations of the PTGI index with the indicators on the scales of psychasthenia (rS = –0.360), depression (rS = –0.307), hysteria (rS = –0.283), psychopathy (rS = –0.276), schizoidism (rS = –0.235), hypochondria (rS = –0.222) and rigidity (rS = –0.170). External locus of control was negatively correlated with PTG, and internal locus of control was positively correlated with PTG (rS = 0.165 and rS = –0.165, respectively, p = 0.042). Conclusion. The results obtained allow us to conclude that individual and personality characteristics are an important, but not the only factor of PTG, and determine the need for further research into relevant factors that may have an impact on PTG.

Post-Traumatic Growth is a term that refers to an individual's experience of considerable positive transformation following the occurrence of a traumatic event. This growth may be rapid, gradual, or non-existent, depending on the circumstances (such as social support or societal stigma) to which the victims are subjected during the process. However, the high prevalence of trauma among traumatized victims and the benefits of post-traumatic growth (PTG) discovered in increasing empirical research demonstrate the need of fostering PTG in victims of interpersonal violence. As a result, the current study analysed risk variables for PTG development. The study enrolled 200 women and men recruited through an organization that provides services to trauma victims. The data were gathered via an online survey that included the PTG inventory and an information sheet on demographic, social support, and stigma-related characteristics. Social stigma and support were found to be significant predictors of PTG, with stigma being associated with lower PTG and family and religious support being associated with higher PTG. The limitations and policy implications were highlighted, and recommendations for additional research were presented.

ABSTRACTThe study examined psychosocial factors (quality of life, depression, anxiety, optimism, coping, and social support) in relation to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in 108 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Canonical correlational analysis showed that both PTSD and PTG were related to poorer quality of life, lack of social supports, and avoidant coping styles. However, higher PTG was also associated with the use of meaning and social support to cope with their experience. The findings highlight both negative and positive posttraumatic outcomes but longitudinal studies are now needed to more fully evaluate these relationships.

Objectives: Identify post-traumatic growth (PTG) and the roles of mindfulness, social support, and loneliness in PTG among college students with and without disabilities post-COVID-19. Participants: Six hundred college students enrolled at two universities in Texas. Methods: Participants completed self-report questionnaires via an online Qualtrics survey. Descriptive, bivariate correlation, independent t-test, and regression analyses were conducted. Results: The average PTG score was 28.34 (SD = 12.66), with 45.2% scoring 32 or above, indicating personal growth. Students with disabilities had significantly lower PTG scores (p < .001). For these students, identifying as Black, family loss due to COVID-19, and friends support were associated with higher PTG. Among those without disabilities, racial minority status, family loss, and mentor support were associated with higher PTG. Conclusions: Post-pandemic PTG is notably low among college students, especially those with disabilities, underscoring the need for greater support. Strengthening social connections may improve their PTG, mental health, and academic success.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how locus of control, coping strategies, emotion regulation strategies and social support affect posttraumatic growth. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A convenience sample of 540 patients with lung cancer was recruited from November 2016 to July 2017 at two tertiary grade A hospitals in China. The participants completed a series of questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to explore the effects of psychosocial factors on posttraumatic growth. Social support had a direct positive effect on posttraumatic growth (β=0.318, SE=0.071, BC 95% CI=0.252/0.390), and it also had indirect effects on posttraumatic growth (β=0.112, SE=0.023, BC 95%CI=0.088/0.135) through mediating psychological factors. Coping strategies and the cognitive reappraisal emotion regulation strategy were the main mediating variables, explaining approximately 73.1% of the indirect effect between social support and posttraumatic growth. Our study suggests that Chinese lung cancer survivors can show relatively high posttraumatic growth. There are many mediating paths between social support and posttraumatic growth. These results may help healthcare professionals to identify the psychosocial factors that may benefit lung cancer patients and develop interventions to promote posttraumatic growth.

Refugee populations worldwide face significant mental health challenges, and Palestinian refugees, who have experienced prolonged displacement and continuous conflict, may be vulnerable to a range of mental health issues. Systematic reviews indicate that refugees are prone to mental health disorders and that they are over 10 times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the general population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD and levels of post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Palestinian refugees in the West Bank camps, as well as to explore the interrelationships between social support and these post-traumatic reactions. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 Palestinian refugees aged 18-76 in seven West Bank refugee camps. Participants completed standardized instruments to assess PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), post-traumatic growth (PTGI), and social support (MSPSS). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and regression models to examine the relationships between study variables. The study revealed a high PTSD prevalence of 63.6%, with a median symptom score of 39. Notably, no significant correlation was found between PTSD and PTG. Social support showed a weak negative correlation with PTSD (rs = -0.14) and a moderate positive correlation with PTG (rs = 0.361). Gender differences were prominent, with females reporting higher levels of both PTSD symptoms and PTG levels. In addition, variations across camps and education levels were observed. Palestinian refugees exhibit a complex psychological landscape marked by high PTSD prevalence and moderate PTG and social support levels. Our results suggest that PTSD and PTG may develop independently in the refugee context. Social support appears more influential in facilitating post-traumatic growth than in alleviating PTSD symptoms. Our findings, thus, contribute to existing literature by providing an understanding of the traumatic experiences and social support role in the refugee context.

The contested discourse regarding the nature of posttraumatic growth (PTG) includes 2 main competitive claims. The first argues that PTG reflects authentic positive transformation while the second posits that PTG reflects illusory defenses that could be maladaptive in the long run. The present study assesses these competing claims by investigating secondary PTG in relation to the somatic domain. Specifically, this study investigates: (a) the association between PTG, and perceived health (PH), as measured by 3 indices of somatic complaints, self-rated health (SRH) and a number of health problems; (b) the association between PTG, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and PH over time; and (c) the mediating role of PTSS between PTG and PH, among wives of former prisoners of war (ex-POWs) and wives of control veterans. Assessments were conducted 30 (T1) and 38 (T2) years after the Yom Kippur War. Results showed that wives of ex-POWs endorsed higher PTSS, higher PTG and poorer PH, compared to control wives. Higher PTG was associated with higher PTSS and poorer PH. PTG at T1 predicted an increase in PTSS between T1 and T2, which in turn was correlated with poorer PH. PTSS at T2 as well as changes in PTSS from T1 to T2 mediated the association between T1 PTG and T2 PH measures. The present findings imply that PTG might have negative implications on PH through the amplification of PTSS, among secondary trauma victims. It seems that although spouses of trauma victims describe benefits resulting from vicarious trauma exposures, their body indicates differently. (PsycINFO Database Record

The protective role of maternal posttraumatic growth and cognitive trauma processing among Palestinian mothers and infants