The role of temperament in posttraumatic growth following death of a loved one

Abstract

Abstract The study investigates the role of temperament in posttraumatic growth among people who experienced a death of someone close. A group of 74 participants - mostly women (63.5%), aged 21 to 74 years (M=38.4; SD=15.5), who lost a parent, a child, a spouse or a partner, a sibling or a very close friend completed questionnaires measuring levels of posttraumatic growth (the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory) and temperamental traits (the Formal Characteristics of Behaviour - Temperament Inventory). Results revealed that increased appreciation of life and improved relations to others are the most prevalent areas of posttraumatic growth. Findings suggest that such temperamental traits, as emotional reactivity, and to a lesser extent briskness and endurance play significant role in posttraumatic growth.