Levels Of Posttraumatic Growth Research Articles

A longitudinal analysis of factors associated with post traumatic growth after acquired brain injury

ABSTRACT Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) is a form of positive psychological change that occurs for some individuals following traumatic experiences. High levels of PTG have been reported among survivors of acquired brain injury (ABI). Yet it remains unclear why some survivors of ABI develop PTG and others do not. The present study investigated early and late factors that are associated with long-term PTG in people with moderate to severe ABIs. Participants (n = 32, Mage = 50.59, SD = 12.28) completed self-report outcome measures at two time-points seven years apart (one-year and eight-years post-ABI). Outcome measures assessed emotional distress, coping, quality of life and ongoing symptoms of brain injury, as well as PTG at the later timepoint. Multiple regression analyses indicated that one-year post-ABI, fewer symptoms of depression, more symptoms of anxiety, and use of adaptive coping strategies accounted for a significant amount of variance in later PTG. At eight years post-ABI, fewer symptoms of depression, fewer ongoing symptoms of brain injury, better psychological quality of life and use of adaptive coping strategies explained a substantial amount of variance in PTG. For individuals with ABIs, PTG may be promoted by implementing long-term neuropsychological support which aims to facilitate use of adaptive coping strategies, supports psychological wellbeing and allows individuals to find meaning post-ABI.

국가지정 감염병전담병원에서 COVID-19 환자를 간호한 간호사의 외상후 성장에 미치는 영향요인

The purpose of this study was to identify the level of post-traumatic stress, resilience and post-traumatic growth among nurses who care for COVID-19 patients in a national designated infectious disease hospital and to investigare the factors influencing their post-traumatic growth. We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study, and data were collected from June 20 to July 4, 2022. A total 166 nurses participated in this study. As a result, the mean score of post-traumatic stress was 21.13±14.83, the mean score of resilience was 57.54±13.30, and the mean score of post-traumatic growth was 36.98±12.84. In this study, there was a significant correlation among post-traumatic growt, post-traumatic stress and resilience. Religion and resilience were factors influenced post-traumatic growth among nurses, and the explanatory power was 43.7% in the regression model. Based on the results, it is necessary to develop interventions that can help post-traumatic growth of nurses in national designated infectious disease hospitals.

Stress mindset, proactive coping behavior, and posttraumatic growth among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent research suggests that stress mindset influences how people response to stress, however, there is a dearth of research investigates the underlying mechanism accounting for the effects of stress mindset on psychological health. The current research investigated how stress mindset and engagement in proactive coping behaviors predicted posttraumatic growth among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Health care professionals (N = 589) from mainland China were invited to participate in this online study through completing the Stress Mindset Measure, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X), and measurement on engagement in proactive coping behaviors and demographic variables at their convenience from July 9 to July 17, 2020. Health care professionals reported high levels of posttraumatic growth at the total scale (58.6%), subdomains (84.9%). Age, stress mindset, and engagement in proactive coping behaviors were significant predictors of posttraumatic growth among health care professionals. Engagement in proactive coping behavior mediated the predicting effect of stress mindset on posttraumatic growth among health care professionals in China. A stress-is-enhancing mindset predicts higher level of posttraumatic growth among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, and the effect was mediated by engagement in proactive coping behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Growing together: Longitudinal trajectory of posttraumatic growth among suicide-loss survivors and its interpersonal predictors

Introduction: BackgroundRecent studies have indicated that grieving after suicide loss can be particularly complex and traumatic. However, studies have recognized the opportunity for personal growth among suicide-loss survivors.ObjectivesThis study signifies an effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying interpersonal facilitators of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among suicide-loss survivors in a longitudinal design.MethodsParticipants included 189 suicide-loss survivors (155 females), aged 21–73, who completed questionnaires of thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and self-disclosure at T1. Moreover, participants were assessed on PTG levels at T1, 18 months (T2), and 42 months (T3).ResultsThe integrated mediation model indicated that both TB and PB contributed to the PTG trajectory. PB and self-disclosure contributed to PTG at T3 beyond the PTG trajectory across time. We also found self-disclosure to mediate the association of TB and PTG at T2 and T3.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that interpersonal factors play critical roles in contributing to PTG over time among suicide-loss survivors. Basic psychoeducational interventions designed to foster interpersonal behaviors may facilitate achieving PTG among survivors in the aftermath of suicide loss.Disclosure of InterestY. Levi-Belz Shareolder of: no, Grant / Research support from: no, Consultant of: no, Employee of: no, Paid Instructor of: no, Speakers bureau of: no

Post-traumatic growth in PhD students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, graduate students have faced increased risk of mental health challenges. Research suggests that experiencing adversity may induce positive psychological changes, called post-traumatic growth (PTG). These changes can include improved relationships with others, perceptions of oneself, and enjoyment of life. Few existing studies have explored this phenomenon among graduate students. This secondary data analysis of a survey conducted in November 2020 among graduate students at a private R1 University in the northeast United States examined graduate students' levels and correlates of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students had a low level of PTG, with a mean score of 10.31 out of 50. Linear regression models showed significant positive relationships between anxiety and PTG and between a measure of self-reported impact of the pandemic and PTG. Non-White minorities also had significantly greater PTG than White participants. Experiencing more negative impact due to the pandemic and ruminating about the pandemic were correlated with greater PTG. These findings advance research on the patterns of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic and can inform future studies of graduate students' coping mechanisms and support efforts to promote pandemic recovery and resilience.

The psychological impact of Covid on health care professionals during the third wave

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is a healthcare crisis, with unprecedented impact on healthcare services, notable morbidity and mortality of the public and healthcare workers, economic impact and significant psychosocial impact. Besides, this pandemic has had a profound negative effect on the mental health of people worldwide, particularly among those who are faced with combating the virus.ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ mental health (HCWs), as they are on the front line of the pandemic.MethodsAn internet-based questionnaire was created including the following scales: (1)Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), (2) Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) (3) Quality of Professional Life (ProQOL) (4) Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, (PTGI), (5) Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), (6) Brief Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief Cope)], (7) Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF). It was distributed to 120 Greek health professionals, including nurses, doctors, midwives and physiotherapists.ResultsMost of the participants were female with an average age of 46 years. HCWs had low levels of both primary and secondary traumatic stress . They presented post-traumatic growth in the dimension of relationship with others. They used predominantly the coping strategies of positive reframing, acceptance of the situation, venting, and instrumental support.Females had statistically significant higher levels of post-traumatic growth, better quality of life, and used more positive coping strategies compared to males. Humor and acceptance were coping strategies used mainly by physicians. Nurses and midwives had worse quality of professional life potentially due to increased workload. HCWs with more functional ways of coping were more resilient and seemed to have better quality of life, such as higher compassion, satisfaction, lower burnout, and lower post-traumatic stress.ConclusionsThe experience of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to implement some strategies to protect health care workers’ mental health and to take extensive prevention measures in highly stressful situations.Further research is needed to clarify the long-term negative and positive psychological effects of the pandemic on healthcare personnel’s mental health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Active coping, resilience, post-traumatic growth, and psychiatric symptoms among early and late liver transplant survivors.

Understanding survivorship experiences at different stages postliver transplantation (poat-LT) is essential to improving care. Patient-reported concepts including coping, resilience, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and anxiety/depression, have been implicated as important predictors of quality of life and health behaviors after LT. We aimed to descriptively characterize these concepts at different post-LT survivorship stages. This cross-sectional study featured self-reported surveys measuring sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported concepts including coping, resilience, PTG, anxiety, and depression. Survivorship periods were categorized as early (1y or below), mid (1-5y), late (5-10y), and advanced (10y or above). Univariable and multivariable logistic and linear regression modeling examined factors associated with patient-reported concepts. Among 191 adult LT survivors, the median survivorship stage was 7.7 years (interquartile range: 3.1-14.4) and median age was 63 years (range: 28-83); most were male (64.2%) and Caucasian (84.0%). High PTG was more prevalent in the early survivorship period (85.0%) than late survivorship (15.2%). High trait resilience was only reported by 33% of survivors and associated with higher income. Lower resilience was seen among patients with longer LT hospitalization stays and late survivorship stages. About 25% of survivors had clinically significant anxiety and depression, which was more frequent among early survivors and females with pre-LT mental health disorders. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with lower active coping included survivors ≥65 years, non-Caucasian race, lower levels of education, and nonviral liver disease. In a heterogeneous cohort including early and late LT survivors, there was variation in levels of PTG, resilience, anxiety, and depression at different survivorship stages. Factors associated with positive psychological traits were identified. Understanding determinants of LT survivorship has important implications for how we should monitor and support LT survivors.

Latent profile analysis of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth among firefighters

ABSTRACT Background: Due to the job characteristics, firefighters are repeatedly exposed to trauma incidents. However, not all firefighters exhibit the same level of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or post-traumatic growth (PTG). Despite this, few studies have looked into firefighters’ PTSD and PTG. Objective: This study identified subgroups of firefighters based on their PTSD and PTG levels, and investigated the influence of demographic factors and PTSD/PTG-related factors on latent class classification. Method: Latent profile analysis was used to examine the patterns of PTSD and PTG among 483 firefighters in South Korea. Using a cross-sectional design, demographic factors and job factors were examined as group covariates through a three-step approach. PTSD-related factors such as depression and suicide ideation, as well as PTG-related factors such as emotion-based response were analysed as differentiating factors. Results: Four classes were identified and named ‘Low PTSD-low PTG (65.2%),’ ‘Mid PTSD-mid PTG (15.5%),’ ‘Low PTSD-high PTG (15.3%),’ and ‘High PTSD-mid PTG (3.9%).’ The likelihood of belonging to the group with high trauma-related risks increased with more rotating shift work and years of service. The differentiating factors revealed differences based on the levels of PTSD and PTG in each group. Conclusions: 34.8% of firefighters experienced changes due to traumatic events while on the job, and some required serious attention. Modifiable job characteristics, such as the shift pattern, indirectly affected PTSD and PTG levels. Individual and job factors should be considered together when developing trauma interventions for firefighters.

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth: gratitude, PTSD and distress; one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon.

Almost one year since the COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, mental distress remains elevated with high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet studies suggest these challenging circumstances might be conducive of post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study aims to investigate the factors associated with growth after the original trauma. A sample of 252 Lebanese adults filled an online survey to determine levels of PTG, PTSD and gratitude using validated self-rating scales. Participants also subjectively evaluated the sources of their distress such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion and/or their deteriorating financials. The PTGi-SF evaluated dimensions of growth while the IES-R_22 measured the degree of distress post-trauma. The GQ-6 was used to measure the proneness to experience gratitude daily. Results indicated 41% of participants scored above the cutoff for PTSD symptomatology. Yet, PTSD was positively correlated, alongside gratitude and accumulated subjective distress, with higher levels of PTG. A forward linear regression taking PTG scores as the dependent variable further showed that more gratitude (Beta = 0.57), a higher impact of events (Beta = 0.16), and knowing anyone who died from COVID-19 (Beta = 3.93) were significantly associated with more growth. The study highlights elevated levels of PTSD symptoms in a context of a global pandemic worsened by financial and socio-political instabilities. It mostly identifies personal factors, including high initial symptomatology post-trauma and gratitude, related to the capacity for growth in spite of these accumulating hardships. As such, it advocates the need to investigate and bolster silver linings amidst unprecedented traumas.

Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Among Young Adults Exposed to a Typhoon: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

Objective: We used a latent class growth model to identify distinct PTSS trajectories and correlates of these trajectories among young adults who experienced Typhoon Hato, the strongest storm to strike China in the last 50years. Methods: A longitudinal survey (three-waves) was conducted to explore the mental health status and its correlates among young adults exposed to the typhoon. Data from 362 participants were analyzed via a latent class growth model and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Three distinct classes of PTSS trajectories were identified, including: "resilience" (86.46%), "recovery" (9.12%), and "deterioration" (4.42%). The higher levels of direct typhoon exposure, media use, and posttraumatic growth significantly predicted the higher likelihood of participants being in the "recovery'' class. In addition, more social support significantly predicted the higher possibility of being in the "resilience" class. Finally, more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms significantly predicted the higher likelihood of being in the "deterioration" class. Conclusion: Further research should develop interventions to enhance protective factors (e.g., posttraumatic growth, media use), decrease risk factors (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms), and thereby prevent PTSS.

Mental Symptoms in Individuals with COVID-19 Examining its Impact on Psychological Resilience, Shaking of Core Beliefs and Post-Traumatic Growth

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus, which has affected the whole world, has brought along many psychosocial problems in individuals. In our study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between mental symptoms in people who have had COVID-19 infection with post-traumatic growth level, shaking of their basic beliefs and psychological resilience. METHODS: Individuals between the ages of 18-65 who had COVID-19 infection in the last 3 months, recovered from hospitalization and outpatient treatment and had no problems in their cognitive capacity were included in the study. All participants were evaluated with Sociodemographic Data Form and COVID-19 Assessment Form, Beck Depression Assessment Scale (BECK-D), Beck Anxiety Assessment Scale (BECK-A), Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and Core Belief Inventory. RESULTS: Of the 200 participants, 132 (66.00%) were female and 68 (34.00%) were male. While the mean age is 36.80±10.00, the mean education year is 15.10±2.20. 25.50% of those who have Covid are anxiety; 36.50% of them were diagnosed with depression. The resilience scale and sub-dimensions scores of those with anxiety and depression were statistically significantly lower than those without anxiety and depression (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of post-traumatic growth inventory (p>0.05). In terms of basic belief inventory scores; The scale score of the participants with anxiety and depression was statistically significantly higher than those without anxiety and depression (p=0.009; p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: A significant relationship was found between the psychological resilience and changes in basic beliefs of individuals with COVID-19, and their depression and anxiety levels.

How Parental Support Affects Latina Girls During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract. The current study focuses on a sample of low- to middle-income school-age Latina girls and their parents and examines how children’s distress proneness interacts with parental empathic accuracy and posttraumatic growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to predict children’s empathy and prosocial behavior toward unknown others. Approximately 2–3 months into state-mandated stay-at-home orders, 55 parent–daughter dyads were recruited to participate in this four-session longitudinal study. To assess distress proneness, daughters (ages 8–13 years, 100% Latina) identified their degree of distress in response to pandemic-related stressors. Concurrently, their parents reported how they thought their children would respond to these same pandemic-related stressors, which assessed parental empathic accuracy. Parents also completed an adapted version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, which assessed perceived positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon study completion, a behavioral measure of children’s empathic and prosocial behaviors was collected. Parental empathic accuracy interacted with children’s distress proneness to positively predict children’s affective empathy, such that children’s distress proneness predicted affective empathy at high and mean, but not low, levels of parental empathic accuracy. In a separate analysis, parental posttraumatic growth interacted with children’s distress proneness to positively predict children’s altruistic sharing behavior, such that children’s distress proneness predicted altruistic sharing behavior only at high, but not mean or low, levels of parental posttraumatic growth. The results of this study highlight how positive parental socialization and understanding of children’s tendencies toward distress are associated with children’s empathic and prosocial behaviors, particularly during major global crises.

Growing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: The interplay among transformational leadership in government, public trust, and posttraumatic growth

Individuals may experience positive changes or gain growths after struggling with traumas or challenging circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess potential levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic and PTG's associations with perceptions of transformational leadership in local government and public trust. The data of a probability sample of 1011 community-dwelling adults (61.2% females; Mean age = 41.2 years, SD = 15.8) in Macao, China, were collected via a telephone poll survey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted and a bootstrapping approach was utilized to test the hypothesized moderating effects and mediating effects of trust in local government on the association between perceived transformational leadership and PTG, respectively. Results showed that about half of the respondents reported at least a medium level of PTG. Whereas perceived transformational leadership in the Macao local government was positively associated with four individual aspects of PTG (i.e., appreciation of life, new possibilities, personal strength, and relating to others) as well as the overall PTG, while controlling for the demographic variables, trust in the local government showed no moderating or mediating effects in these associations. Our findings suggest the value of governments’ transformational leadership in promoting people's PTG in the face of public crises such as COVID-19. More transformational leadership behaviors, such as attending to citizens’ personal needs and conveying an inspirational vision, in government are called for to bring about greater positive responses from individuals and ensure social vitality and resilience during this long-term public health battle.

Resilience Mediates the Relationship Between Parental Attachment and Posttraumatic Growth in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study.

Previous studies have shown that parental attachment was associated with higher levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in individuals who have experienced traumatic events. The aim of the current longitudinal study is to investigate resilience as one pathway through which parental attachment is related to PTG among Chinese adolescents following the Yancheng tornado. A total of 351 adolescent survivors participated in this longitudinal study. Participants completed the revised version of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA-R) at 12 months (T1), and the revised Chinese version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-R) and the Connor and Davidson's Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) at 18 months (T2) after the tornado, respectively. It indicated that parental attachment at T1 has direct and positive effect on PTG at T2, and resilience at T2 fully mediated the relationship between parental attachment at T1 and PTG at T2. The findings revealed that parental attachment and resilience are two key resources that promote adolescent's PTG, and parental attachment acts through resilience to promote PTG in adolescents.

Role of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Psychological Resilience and Hope in Posttraumatic Growth in Individuals with Novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)

The aim of this research is to examine the role of post-traumatic stress symptoms, resilience and hope in post-traumatic growth in individuals who have overcome the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The study group of the research consisted of 454 participants aged between 18 and 72. The mean age of the participants was 32.91, and the standard deviation was 11.18. Participants answered the demographic information form, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory, Trait Hope Scale, Post Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and Adult Resilience Scale. The results showed that posttraumatic growth levels of women were significantly higher than men's posttraumatic growth levels. Moreover the post-traumatic growth levels of those who had the disease severely were higher than the post-traumatic growth levels of those who had the disease mildly and moderately. According to the recovery time from the disease, the post-traumatic growth levels of those who had the disease for a long time were found to be higher than the post-traumatic growth levels of those who had the disease in a short time. Post-traumatic stress symptoms, resilience and hope were found to be positive and significant predictors of post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychological resilience and hope-focused psychosocial interventions by mental health professionals and healthcare professionals during the epidemic may help people to endure an unknown disease and cope with the trauma that this disease has created in their lives, thus increasing their post-traumatic growth levels.

Parenthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: Post-traumatic growth amongst university students.

This study sought to investigate a positive dimension of coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, that of post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study investigated coping difficulties and PTG amongst parent and nonparent students in Israeli Universities. A total of 4022 parents (3648 Jews and 374 Palestinian-Arab Citizens [PACs]) and 14,651 nonparents (12,010 Jews and 2641 PACs) completed measures of coping, social support and PTG. Parents demonstrated significantly higher levels of coping and PTG. Amongst parents, fathers coped slightly better than mothers; however, while Jewish mothers demonstrated greater PTG than Jewish fathers, PAC fathers had significantly greater PTG than both PAC mothers and Jewish parents. These findings, while specific to COVID-19, indicate that PTG should be studied in greater depth in different ethnic and minority groups in order to develop enhanced understanding and facilitate promotion of post-traumatic growth, in addition to the prevention of COVID-19-related distress.

Adaptability favors positive academic responses and posttraumatic growth under COVID-19: a longitudinal study with adolescents

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted an abrupt adoption of online learning worldwide challenging students’ scholastic engagement and their ability to self-regulate their learning. Under these unexpected conditions, adaptability (one’s capacity to adjust thoughts, behaviors, and emotions in new and uncertain situations) might have sustained students to maintain high engagement and find new learning solutions. Students with high adaptability might also interpret COVID-19-related novelty as an opportunity and show higher posttraumatic growth levels. A longitudinal path analysis showed that in a sample of 435 Italian students (11–18 years old), adaptability at Time 1 positively related to engagement, self-regulated learning, and posttraumatic growth at the end of the school year, indirectly favoring academic achievement, through the mediation of engagement and self-regulated learning. These findings highlight the unique role that adaptability could play in supporting students in unexpected and stressful situations. Fostering students’ adaptability could therefore have beneficial effects on their personal growth and academic success.

Experience of application of the meaning-centered psychotherapy to Japanese bereaved family of patients with cancer - A mixed-method study.

This study aimed to adapt the meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) to treat post-bereavement grief in Japanese bereaved families who lost their loved ones to cancer and to examine the feasibility of the intervention using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A modified version of MCP was developed with cultural consideration. Bereaved individuals aged ≥18years who had lost their family members to cancer at least 6 months before and had severe or persistent grief with a score of ≥26 on the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG-19) were included in the study. The participants received the modified version of MCP, which was provided in a 5-session monthly format. The levels of grief (ICG-19), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]), general health (General Health Questionnaire-12), and post-traumatic growth (Post-traumatic Growth Inventory -Short Form) were compared before and after the intervention. Five bereaved individuals were enrolled, and all the participants completed the program. The mean scores of the ICG-19. The participants' sense of regret, guilt, and being separated from the deceased person gradually shifted to the reappraisal of the experience, leading to a broadened view of the relationship with the deceased, and rediscovery of the core values, identity, and roles of the participants through the process of rediscovery of the meaning of life. A modified version of the MCP was well accepted by Japanese bereaved families. The intervention appears to promote the rediscovery of the meaning of life and appears to have the potential to alleviate the bereaved individuals' depression and grief-related symptoms and to facilitate their post-traumatic growth.

Pandemi Sürecinin Olumlu Etkileri Olabilir Mi? COVID-19 ile Mücadele Eden Hemşirelerin Travma Sonrası Gelişimleri

Objective: It is known that COVID-19 pandemic causes high levels of acute stress disorder, anxiety, burnout syndrome, depression and, post-traumatic stress disorder in health professionals. In addition, it has been revealed that nurses working with COVID-19 patients are more negatively affected by this process. Actually, experienced traumatic events do not only lead to negative changes in people. On the contrary, some people also experience positive alterations after traumatic events, which affect their lives in various areas. This study was conducted to determine the post-traumatic growth of the nurses struggling with COVID-19. 
 Methods: The research has been made as a descriptive study with the 559 nurses working in COVID-19 pandemic clinics between January-March 2021 in Turkey. The data of the research were collected in an online survey.
 Results: Post-traumatic growth inventory total score of the nurses is found as 53.95±18.89. There is a medium to strong (0.61-0.94) positive correlation between post-traumatic growth inventory total score and sub-dimension scores. 
 Conclusion: In literature, when other studies which examined the nurses’ post-traumatic growth levels are checked, it can be said that; in our study, nurses’ post-traumatic growth levels remained below the average. It is recommended that studies evaluating nurses' post-traumatic growth levels should be carried out at regular intervals and centers that will provide holistic support to nurses to support their positive development should be expanded.

Reliving a traumatic experience through emotional creativity: the bright side of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly affected overall mental health. Thus, researching resilience is important, as it has been previously discussed as a means to protect people from mental health problems. This study aims to clarify whether survivors of a traumatic event (i.e. cancer survivors) are more resilient to living through another traumatic experience, such as COVID-19, compared to those who have never had such an experience. The study also examines the role of emotional creativity in this process.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research design was adopted. The data collection was performed through a survey (N = 338), which was conducted among two separate groups of participants. The first group (N = 152) included the survivors of a traumatic event (i.e. cancer survivors), and the second group (N = 186) included those who did not have such an experience.FindingsThe results demonstrate that living through a traumatic experience results in a higher level of resilience during another traumatic experience (i.e. COVID-19), which is the result of higher post-traumatic growth. Moreover, emotional creativity is discussed as an explanatory variable that explains a significantly higher level of post-traumatic growth among survivors of a traumatic event.Originality/valueThis research offers a better understanding of the effect of living through a traumatic event on post-traumatic growth and resilience in living through another traumatic experience. Moreover, post-traumatic growth is explained through emotional creativity improvement, which happens after experiencing a traumatic life event.