Levels Of Posttraumatic Growth Research Articles

Dental personnel in Israel, Canada, and France during the COVID-19 pandemic: attitudes, worries, emotional responses, and posttraumatic growth.

The spread of COVID-19 has posed significant challenges for dental professionals worldwide. The aims of the present study were twofold: (i) to study the attitudes, emotional responses, and worries among the dental personnel; and (ii) to look for the ability of dental personnel to experience posttraumatic self-growth as a result of the distress caused by the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey using an anonymous questionnaire was performed simultaneously in Israel, Canada, and France during the initial lockdown period. Israeli dental practitioners were less worried about their physical health, mental health, or relationships with family and friends than their Canadian and French counterparts. The Canadian dental practitioners were most committed and most willing to treat their patients, as well as most concerned about not being able to treat patients in the same personal way as before the lockdown. French dental practitioners showed the highest level of fear to treat patients. There were no differences in dental practitioners' levels of anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic growth among the countries. Dental practitioners' posttraumatic growth was significantly associated with worries regarding their physical health. Responses of dental personnel to the COVID-19 pandemic varied worldwide. Despite the differences, evidence exists that some of the dental practitioners' worries and concerns are associated with psychologic growth as a result of the pandemic. Better understanding and acknowledgment of dental personnel's worries and concerns can facilitate growth and enable positive functioning under the continuous situation of uncertainty.

Post-traumatic stress, personal risk and post-traumatic growth among UK journalists

ABSTRACT Background: Journalists covering traumatic news events can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, they may also experience perceived post-traumatic growth (PTG). The outcome may be affected by whether work-related traumatic stress has a degree of personal risk. Objective: To investigate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG among journalists who experienced work-related trauma and to examine whether positive associations would exist between exposure to personal risk and PTG. Method: A web-based survey measuring post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth was completed by print and broadcast journalists (N = 69) working for UK-based media organizations. An open-ended question asked participants how media organizations can help to promote growth after work-related trauma. Results: The findings show a significant relationship between PTSD symptoms and PTG (p = 0.04). Journalists working in war-zones had significantly more PTSD symptoms (p < .001) and PTG scores (p < .001) than those who did not. Journalists who described their worst, work-related trauma as having a degree of personal, life-threatening risk, also reported higher levels of PTG than those who did not (p < .001). This was consistent across all PTG subscales. Conclusions: This study, the first to examine PTSD symptoms, personal risk and post-traumatic growth within journalists, suggests those working in conflict areas experience significantly higher levels of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth, than those who do not. Those who experience personal risk also had high PTG levels. Media companies can help develop PTG by recognizing when personal risk plays a role in covering demanding assignments. Participants suggested organizations also needed to allow sufficient time for reflection and meaning-making for all those working in hostile environments.

Identifying Women's Strengths for Promoting Resilience After Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.

Guided by the Resilience Portfolio Model, this study examined strengths associated with well-being and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among women who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants were 109 Spanish women who were receiving specialized psychological services for IPV. They completed a survey on multiple indicators of strengths, subjective well-being, and PTG. The results indicated that PTG was positively correlated with well-being and all strengths. Univariate analysis comparing levels of PTG showed significant differences in all factors, except emotional regulation and optimism. Post hoc analyses revealed two patterns, with some strengths distinguishing across all levels of PTG, and others only discriminating the most resilient women (as indicated by PTG) from the rest. Multivariate analyses accounted for 42% of the variance in posttraumatic growth and 52% in well-being. The results suggest ways to promote well-being and resilience among victimized women.

Secondary traumatic stress, vicarious posttraumatic growth and their association in emergency room physicians and nurses

ABSTRACT Background: Emergency room personnel are indirectly exposed to many traumas. Few studies have examined secondary traumatic stress in emergency room nurses and only a single study examined emergency room physicians. The extent of vicarious post-traumatic growth, i.e., the growth associated with such trauma, has also hitherto not been examined in emergency room personnel. Objective: Our first goal was to examine secondary traumatization in both emergency room nurses and physicians. Our second goal was to examine vicarious post-traumatic growth in emergency room personnel. Finally, we also address the association (linear and curvilinear) between secondary traumatization and vicarious traumatic growth. Methods: A questionnaire comprising demographic variables, secondary traumatic stress and vicarious post-traumatic growth was administered electronically to a sample of emergency room personnel from the Wolfson Hospital, Holon, Israel. Results: There were no differences between nurses and physicians in overall secondary trauma or vicarious post-traumatic growth levels. For physicians, there was both a linear and a curvilinear association between secondary trauma and vicarious post-traumatic growth; for nurses, there was no overall association. Further sub-group analyses revealed that emergency room nurses with low workload, in conjunction with low work experience, did show a linear association. Conclusion: Results indicate that while vicarious post-traumatic growth is linked to secondary traumatic stress for emergency room physicians, it is not so for nurses. Theoretical implications concerning the role of trauma symptoms in vicarious post-traumatic growth are discussed. Clinical implications are raised regarding the identification of excessive secondary traumatic stress levels and the need for interventions to both decrease stress levels, and to increase vicarious post-traumatic growth levels.

Post-traumatic growth in prisoners and its association with the quality of staff-prisoner relationships.

Being sentenced to imprisonment can be traumatic. This may lead to further negative effects, including reoffending or disorders of mental health. Emerging research, however, has suggested that traumatic events can, at times, also lead to post-traumatic growth, leading us to question whether prisoners could experience this. Our aims were to explore the prevalence of post-traumatic growth in prisoners and any association between this and prisoners' perceptions of the quality of their relationships with staff. Our primary hypothesis was that there would be a positive association between perceptions of the quality of relationships with staff members and post-traumatic growth. We also hypothesised an interaction between staff-prisoner relationships and the extent to which sentencing was experienced as traumatic. The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory were distributed to all 762 prisoners in a high-security prison for adult men in England. First, one-tailed correlations between variables were run, then a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test for an interaction between staff-prisoner relationship ratings, trauma of sentencing and post-traumatic growth. Just over one fifth of the men (n = 160) returned questionnaires; 76 (48%) had scores indicative of moderate-to-high post-traumatic growth. There was a significant positive association between perceptions of the relationships with staff members and the post-traumatic growth reported. There was no significant interaction between the staff-prisoner relationships and the experience of trauma of imprisonment. Our study extends understanding of prisoners through finding that higher levels of self-rated post-traumatic growth were associated with experiencing empathy, positive regard, acceptance and genuineness from prison staff. This highlights the need for high-quality relationships to be adopted in all aspects of prison setting and culture and offers further direction for research into such relationships and their role in promoting positive psychological outcomes.

A study on the factors associated with posttraumatic growth of helping professionals in suicide prevention

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors associated with posttraumaitc growth of helping professionals in suicide prevention. Study sample consisted of 319 helping professionals who are social workers, doctors, nurses, and psychologists with at least 3 years of working experience in mental health settings. Data were collected through a self-report online survey and a multiple regression model was conducted to examine the factors associated with posttraumatic growth. Study results demonstrate that age was likely to increase a level of postraumatic growth, and social workers and nurses were more likely to have a higher level of posttraumatic growth when compared to doctors. In addition, a higher level of deliberate rumination and social support tended to increase a level of posttraumatic growth among helping professionals in suicide prevention. Study findings suggest that the development of psychological support system is essential for facilitating deliberate rumination and a variety of support systems should be given to helping professionals in suicide prevention. Furthermore, policymakers should develop standardized protocols and educational programs to enhance posttraumatic growth of helping professionals by incorporating unique characteristics of each agency.

Does Post-Traumatic Growth Follow Parental Death in Adulthood? An Empirical Investigation.

This study looked at the loss of a parent in adulthood and whether this was followed by post-traumatic growth? Participants, 100 bereaved adults, from Pakistan and England, lost parents in the last 10 years. They completed three questionnaires. The study hypotheses were, first, that participants whose bereavement occurred more than five years ago would show significantly higher levels of post-traumatic growth. Second, participants with higher levels of post-traumatic growth would experience significantly higher grief scores. Thirdly, participants with higher levels of post-traumatic growth would show significantly higher levels of coping skills. Two hypotheses were rejected, only one received partial support. Yet, levels of post-traumatic growth were high in this sample. Post-traumatic growth does not follow every bereavement. The authors provide autoethnographic material to challenge this. Circumstances surrounding bereavement during the Covid-19 pandemic, are more likely to lead to increases in complicated grief reactions, rather than post-traumatic growth.

Positive Orientation and Posttraumatic Growth in Mothers of Children with Cystic Fibrosis - Mediating Role of Coping Strategies

PurposeAnalyzing the relationship between positive orientation and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in mothers of children with cystic fibrosis including the mediating role of coping strategies. Design and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study using questionnaires. The sample was 144 mothers of children with cystic fibrosis (average age 37.25 years, SD = 6.50) recruited in the CF Foundation MATIO in Poland. The main measures included the Post–traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), The Positivity Scale, and the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE). Mediation was tested with Preacher and Hayes' model 4, including coping strategies as a mediator on the relationship between positive orientation and PTG. ResultsMost examined mothers (105–72.91%) revealed high or average levels of posttraumatic growth. Positive orientation was positively (but weakly) correlated with PTGI total and all its dimensions. Additionally, coping strategies, especially focus on problem and seeking emotional support, were mediators between positive orientation and all dimensions of PTG. Full mediation was observed for PTG dimension: changes in relations to others. ConclusionPositive orientation and coping strategies are important for explaining post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with cystic fibrosis. Practice implicationsTherapeutic interventions and support programs for mothers of children with cystic fibrosis may increase mothers' awareness of experiencing PTG. Learning effective and flexible stress coping strategies can foster positive changes.

Moderating Effect of Posttraumatic Growth on the Relationship Between Social Support and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients With Ostomies.

BackgroundLittle research has examined the moderating influence of posttraumatic growth (PTG) on the relationship between social support and quality of life.ObjectivesThis study examined the relationship between social support and quality of life by the level of PTG in colorectal cancer patients with ostomies.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, colorectal cancer patients with ostomies (n = 140) were recruited using convenience sampling. The City of Hope Quality of Life–Ostomy, the Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory measured quality of life, social support, and PTG, respectively.ResultsSocial support and PTG were positively related to psychological and social well-being. Higher social support was associated with better psychological and social well-being. Posttraumatic growth moderated the relationship between psychological and social well-being. At a low and moderate level of PTG, social support was more strongly associated with psychological and social well-being, whereas at high levels, this association was not significant.ConclusionsFindings highlight the significance of social support to improve the quality of life for colorectal cancer patients with an ostomy, particularly those with low levels of PTG.Implications for PracticeScreening for patients’ positive cognitive adaptations while living with an ostomy could identify those who might need further social support to improve their quality of life. Further, intensive social support programs might promote the quality of life for colorectal patients with an ostomy, which was found to be effective for those with low levels of PTG.

Psychological predictors of posttraumatic growth among adult survivors of Wenchuan earthquake in China.

The current research investigates the applicability of the posttraumatic growth inventory and psychological predictors of posttraumatic growth among adult survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in China. The results indicated that although the survivors reported a high degree of posttraumatic stress symptoms, they also experienced a moderate to high level of posttraumatic growth two years after the earthquake. The simplified Chinese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory had good reliability in the current study. Confirmatory factor analysis of the simplified Chinese version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory verified that the original five-factor model fit the data better than the four-factor model documented by Ho et al. (2004, 2011) among Chinese cancer patients. The current study also demonstrates that positive changes in outlook, positive affect, and perceived social support are significant predictors of posttraumatic growth among adult survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. Directions for future research on posttraumatic growth among survivors of natural disasters and implications for developing psychological interventions to help people recover from traumatic events are discussed.

Mental health needs and coping resources of participants in a prostitution pre-sentencing court program

There is an expanding number of prostitution problem-solving courts; however, empirical findings regarding the mental health needs of participants in these specialty courts are sparse. This study examines the mental health needs and coping resources of 33 participants in a prostitution pre-sentencing program. Levels of trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and religious coping were compared to 60 participants in a prostitution problem-solving court. Both groups endorsed extensive trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress. Still, the pre-sentencing participant’s levels of posttraumatic growth and religious coping were substantial. Despite no group differences in trauma exposure or religious coping, pre-sentencing participants’ levels of posttraumatic stress were significantly higher and their posttraumatic growth significantly lower, than the problem-solving court participants. Moderation analysis showed the relation between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth varied depending on whether participants were in the pre-sentencing or problem-solving court. Posttraumatic stress inversely predicted posttraumatic growth for pre-sentencing participants but not for problem-solving court counterparts. The divergence in the relationship between variables was greatest for participants with the highest posttraumatic stress. Research-guided assessments of mental health needs and coping resources can inform the recruitment of participants and the development and implementation of these programs.

Investigation of the Effects of Violence Experience During Political Demonstrations.

In this study, predictors of post-traumatic stress symptom levels (PTSSL) and post-traumatic growth levels (PTGL) resulting from the experience of violence were investigated. The sample of the study consisted of 514 Gezi Park demonstrators. Participants completed measures assessing stress symptoms, post-traumatic growth, social support and beliefs about the world as well as the open-ended event specific questions. Results showed that being politically active, psychologically prepared and experiencing mild levels of violence were related with decreased PTSSL individually but not in combination as the literature suggested. The two hierarchical regression analyses showed that: (1) PTSSL were predicted by violence exposure levels, perceived social support from significant others and “randomness” and “self-worth” beliefs about the world; (2) PTGL were predicted by violence exposure levels, total amount of time spent at the demonstrations and “benevolence” and “justice” beliefs about the world. These findings suggest that psychological preparedness might be an important variable in violence experience regarding human masses. Also, violence exposure levels and duration of participation seems to be important event- specific variables. Lastly, political activism needs to be more precisely operationalized and measured in future studies.

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth in patients with severe burns by treatment phase.

AimThis study aimed to identify differences in the level of depressive symptoms, social support and posttraumatic growth among patients with severe burns by treatment phase and the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in the acute and rehabilitation phases.DesignA cross‐sectional descriptive design.MethodsThe factors associated with posttraumatic growth in 179 patients with severe burns were assessed using regression analysis.ResultsCompared with those in the acute phase (mild depression), those in the rehabilitation phase showed moderate depression and lower positive self‐perception, resulting in a significant difference in the means. Social support was significantly correlated with posttraumatic growth and explained 14.9% of its variance in the acute phase. Depressive symptoms and social support were significantly associated with posttraumatic growth and explained 28.2% of its variance in the rehabilitation phase. Therefore, the need for counselling support and intervention for patients with severe burns is evident.

Profiles of resources and posttraumatic growth among cancer and psoriatic patients compared to non-clinical sample

Background/ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore the heterogeneity of resources, as described by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, in a sample of cancer and psoriatic patients and to investigate whether heterogeneity within resources explains differences in Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) level within each of these clinical samples and in a non-clinical control group. MethodThe sample consisted of 925 participants, including 190 adults with a clinical diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer, 355 adults with a medical diagnosis of psoriasis, and 380 non-clinical (without any chronic illnesses) adults, all of whom had suffered various adverse and traumatic events. The participants completed a COR evaluation questionnaire and a posttraumatic growth inventory. ResultsA latent profile analysis revealed four different classes of psoriatic patients and five classes of cancer patients, all with different resources levels. Clinical subsamples differed substantially with PTG levels compared to healthy controls. ConclusionsOur study did not find a sole pattern of PTG that fit all the individuals, even for those who experienced the same type of traumatic event. Psychological counseling, in chronic illness particularly, should focus on the heterogenetic profiles of patients with different psychosocial characteristics.

Does event centrality mediate the effect of peritraumatic reactions on post-traumatic growth in survivors of a terrorist attack?

ABSTRACT Background While self-reported post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been documented after a wide variety of potentially traumatic experiences, we need more knowledge on the mechanisms behind PTG to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon. Objective We aimed to investigate the hypothesized mechanism of perceived event centrality as a mediator on the pathway between peritraumatic reactions and later PTG. Method In total, 204 survivors of the 2011 massacre on Utøya island, participated 4–5 months (T1), 14–15 months (T2), and 30–32 months (T3) post-terror. We applied counterfactually based causal mediation analysis to explore the potential mediating role of survivors’ perceived centrality (T2) in linking their peritraumatic reactions (T1) and self-reported PTG (T3). Results The vast majority of the survivors reported experiencing some positive changes post-terror, and we found a positive, significant association between survivor’s peritraumatic reactions, perceived event centrality and self-reported growth. However, we did not find that centrality significantly mediated the longitudinal association between peritraumatic reactions and later PTG. Conclusion Reports of PTG are common post-terror, and peritraumatic reactions and perceptions of centrality may help explain individual differences in trauma survivors’ level of PTG. Perceived event centrality about one year post-trauma does not appear to explain the relationship between initial reactions to trauma and subsequent PTG.

The Curvilinear Association Between Posttraumatic Distress and Posttraumatic Growth Among Pellet Gun Victims: The Moderating Roles of Time Since Trauma and Age.

Since 2010, the use of pellet guns in Indian-administered Kashmir has led to serious physical and psychological consequences among a growing number of victims. However, no research to date has examined the association between posttraumatic distress and posttraumatic growth (PTG) within this population. Previous research conducted on other types of trauma exposure has yielded inconsistent findings regarding the nature and directionality of this association; namely, whether it is linear or curvilinear. Moreover, this inconsistency may also be due to the effects of other variables, such as time since trauma and age. In the present study, we investigated whether the association between posttraumatic distress and PTG among pellet gun victims is best explained as linear or curvilinear and tested whether this association was moderated by time since trauma and/or age. Using purposive sampling, 120 pellet gun victims were recruited from Indian-administered Kashmir. The results of quadratic hierarchical regression suggested that an inverted U-shaped curvilinear association, sr2 = 0.07 (medium effect), was a better fit over and above a linear term, sr2 = 0.06 - 0.08 (medium effect). The moderation test further revealed that this effect was present across time but became apparent, as an inverted U-shape, 18 to 24 months posttrauma, sr2 = 0.04 (small effect); age, however, was not found to influence this association. These findings held even after controlling for the effects of confounding variables. The present findings suggest that across time, moderate levels of posttraumatic distress are associated with the highest levels of PTG.

Physical activity and posttraumatic growth in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: A prospective study.

This study used a prospective design to examine the association between self-reported physical activity and posttraumatic growth (PTG) over a 1-year period among 150 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Transport-related, household, and leisure-time physical activity were positively associated with PTG at baseline and follow-up. Total physical activity could predict higher levels of PTG at follow-up, after controlling for baseline PTG and other covariates. The findings indicate that daily physical activity could be a modifiable behavioral factor associated with PTG among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Further study is needed using a randomized controlled design and objective measures of physical activity.

Posttraumatic growth as a buffer and a vulnerability for psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors

BackgroundThis study investigated the role of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in moderating the associations between parenting efficacy and psychological distress, and between fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, mothers who were breast cancer survivors (N = 91) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Cancer-Related Parenting Self-Efficacy (CaPSE), Concerns About Cancer Recurrence (CARS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions and simple-slope tests were used to examine the main effects of the predictors (CaPSE and CARS) and moderator (PTGI-SF), and interaction effects of CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF. The analyses were repeated for each outcome variable: Depression, Anxiety and Stress. ResultsHigher CARS significantly predicted higher Depression, Anxiety and Stress, and lower CaPSE significantly predicted higher Depression and Stress. Significant CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF interactions predicted Depression. Simple-slopes tests indicated a significant positive association between CARS and Depression for mothers with high levels of PTG, but not with low levels of PTG. A negative association was indicated between CaPSE and Depression for mothers with low levels of PTGI-SF, though neither slope was significant. LimitationsOur results are only generalisable to mothers with similar socio-demographic backgrounds. ConclusionsPTG may serve as both a protective and a risk factor for depression in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. Debate remains whether PTG is best conceptualised as a perceived positive outcome or an ongoing coping mechanism in the face of parenting challenges and cancer-related threats such as FCR.

Do beliefs influence posttraumatic growth in fathers of children with intellectual disabilities?

BackgroundAlthough facing a child’s intellectual disability (ID) is considered to threaten paternal psychosocial wellbeing, in recent years there has also been a burgeoning interest in positive contributions of raising children with ID, including posttraumatic growth (PTG) in parents. Method142 fathers of children with ID completed Polish versions of three inventories: The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Basic Hope Inventory (BHI), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The average child’s age was 11.06 (range: 7−13 years). The stages of the analysis included: descriptive statistics for posttraumatic growth (PTG), basic hope (BH), and self-efficacy (GSE), correlation analysis and the Preacher and Hayes procedure of bootstrapping to test whether GSE mediates the relationship between BH and PTG. Results85.91 % of fathers of children with ID experience average or high levels of PTG with the highest scores in its two dimensions: greater appreciation of life, and positive changes in relations with others. PTG is significantly negatively related to a child’s age. GSE is a significant mediator of the relationship between BH and PTG (total score and all dimensions). ConclusionThe importance of beliefs for experiencing positive changes as a result of raising a child with disability may be useful in therapeutic and supportive activities offered to fathers who experience difficulties in fulfilling their paternal role.

Coming Out as LGBTQ +: The Role Strength-Based Parenting on Posttraumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth

For LGBTQ + individuals, coming out can be an experience of marked adversity. Indeed, research has shown that the experience can trigger psychological ill-health (e.g. depression and anxiety) as well as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) such as sleep disturbance, somatic symptoms and cognitive distress. While studies have investigated the pain associated with coming out, much less is known about the potential for this life event to lead to growth. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to explore levels of posttraumatic stress and the presence of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in LGBTQ + adults who had come out. Additionally, this study examined that the role that strength-based parenting plays in levels of PTSS and PTG after coming out. The interaction between SBP, PTSS and PTG was examined in a Peruvian sample of LGBTQ + individuals who had disclosed their sexual and/or gender minority identity to parents (N = 208). The results showed, firstly, that individuals experienced both PTSS and PTG; secondly, that SBP plays a direct protective role (reducing PTSS) and a promoting role (increasing PTG); and thirdly, that SBP indirectly influenced PTG through its inverse relationship with PTSS. Bisexual individuals experience less growth than other LGBTQ + individuals in the all PTG dimensions, illustrating an additional difficulty for this minority group. The results are discussed in light of leading researchers, clinicians and LGBTQ + individuals towards growth-based outcomes following identity disclosure.