Posttraumatic Growth In Women Research Articles

Posttraumatic Growth in Battered Women and the Reflection of Violence on Post-Divorce Growth: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the literature on post-traumatic growth in women who have faced intimate partner violence. Five steps outlined by Arksey and O'Malley were followed to carry out this review. When the 3,129 scientific studies obtained from the databases were evaluated according to appropriate criteria, it was reduced to 50 articles. A total of 11 studies were included in this study due to a special focus on posttraumatic growth and intimate partner violence. According to the literature, it has been observed that intimate partner violence is associated with post-traumatic growth. In addition, the effects of intimate partner violence and post-traumatic growth on divorced women are explored in the discussion section. Although a specific tool is needed for these examinations in the literature, there are currently no standardized screening procedures in use. As a result, it is thought that this study will shed light on the literature on recognizing and evaluating post-traumatic growth symptoms and indicators caused by intimate partner violence.

Posttraumatic growth in women after a childbirth experience: The influence of individual characteristics and intrusive and deliberate rumination.

This study targets women who had a self-defined traumatic childbirth experience to (a) explore the differences between sociodemographic-, obstetric-, and trauma-related variables in relation to the rumination style; (b) determine differences between intrusive and deliberate rumination in relation to posttraumatic growth (PTG) dimensions, and (c) test whether intrusive rumination is associated with deliberate rumination, which in turn is associated with PTG dimensions. A cross-sectional study design was employed using a web-based survey method for data collection. In total, 202 women who identified their childbirth experience as traumatic participated in this study. Intrusive rumination and deliberate rumination were positively associated with all dimensions of PTG in women following the traumatic childbirth event. Deliberate rumination fully explained the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG aspects of relating to others, new opportunities, and personal strength, and partially explained the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG aspects of spiritual changes and appreciation of life. The results suggest that deliberate rumination can contribute to explain the occurrence of PTG. These findings could help develop psychosocial interventions to maximize opportunities for deliberate rumination for women with traumatic childbirth experiences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Relationship Between Body Image and Psychological Well-Being with Post-traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer and a History of Mastectomy

Background: Despite the challenging nature of cancer, research has indicated that the battle against this illness can lead to positive transformations following diagnosis and treatment, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the association between body image and mental well-being and post-traumatic growth among women who have undergone breast cancer treatment and mastectomy surgery. Methods: Employing a correlational research design, this study sampled 276 participants, focusing on married women in Tehran who have experienced mastectomy. The instruments used included McKinley and Hyde's Body Image Scale (1996), the Ryff Scale of Psychological Well-Being 1989 (RSPWB-18), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) by Tedeschi. Results: Data analysis was conducted using Pearson's correlation test and multivariate regression analysis. The findings revealed a significant association between psychological well-being and post-traumatic growth in women (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of incorporating an understanding of the relationship between these variables into the development of educational and psychological interventions, integrating them with treatment plans for patients post-breast cancer surgery.

Erratum: A cross-sectional comparative study of self-compassion, body perception, and post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer versus those without a cancer diagnosis

Erratum: A cross-sectional comparative study of self-compassion, body perception, and post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer versus those without a cancer diagnosis

Identifying modifiable factors associated with psychological health in women experiencing infertility.

This study assessed the relationship between modifiable psychological variables and depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic growth in women experiencing infertility. U.S. women (N = 457) who identified as experiencing infertility completed standardized self-report measures of mindfulness, self-compassion, positive affect, intolerance of uncertainty, relationship satisfaction, experiential avoidance, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic growth. Clinical and demographic characteristics (age, duration trying to conceive, miscarriage, and childlessness) did not predict depression or anxiety. Lower positive affect and higher experiential avoidance were associated with depression and anxiety. Lower self-compassion was associated with depression; higher intolerance of uncertainty was associated with anxiety. There were indirect effects of mindfulness on anxiety and depression via these variables. Future research should explore whether intervening on these factors reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms. Promoting mindfulness may have beneficial effects on symptoms via its downstream effects on multiple coping variables. Counterintuitively, posttraumatic growth was associated with higher intolerance of uncertainty and experiential avoidance.

Trauma and posttraumatic growth in women refugees: A bibliometric analysis of research output over time.

Trauma and posttraumatic growth in women refugees: A bibliometric analysis of research output over time.

The effectiveness of supportive therapy on psychological capital and post traumatic growth in women with multiple sclerosis

Aim: Multiple sclerosis is a neurological and progressive disease. Living with MS has many negative and positive effects on patients' physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supportive therapy on post-traumatic growth and psychological capital in women with MS. Methods: This study used quasi-experimental method (a pretest-posttest and fallow up plan with a control group). Participants consisted of 30 women with MS who were selected using convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control groups. The measuring tool was psychological capital questionnaire (2007) and post-traumatic growth questionnaire (1996) which was completed by the participants. Then, the participants in the experimental group participated in 10 sessions of 50 min of intervention based on Winston, Rosenthal, & Pinsker (2004) supportive therapy protocol. Repeated-measures mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze data. Results: Data analysis showed that supportive therapy had significantly increased the psychological capital (F=16/50, P≤ 0/001) and post traumatic growth (F=14/40, P≤ 0/001) in the experimental group, compared to the control group and the effects of intervention over time remained constant. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, supportive therapy can be an effective intervention to increase psychological capital and post traumatic growth in MS patients and can be used to improve the psychological state and better cope with the disease.

Predicting post-traumatic growth based on spiritual and social well-being in women affected by extramarital relationships

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to predict post-traumatic growth based on spiritual and social well-being in women affected by extramarital relationships. Method: The current research method was descriptive-correlation type. The research population included all women who referred to Shahriar health assessment centers, of which 282 women who met the criteria for entering the research were selected by purposive sampling; Then they were evaluated by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996) post-traumatic growth questionnaire, Palotzin and Ellison (1982) spiritual well-being questionnaire, and Keyes (1998) social well-being questionnaire. Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that spiritual well-being and social well-being significantly predict post-traumatic growth in women (p<0.01). The examination of the obtained multiple correlation square showed that spiritual well-being and social well-being explained 24.4% of the variance of post-traumatic growth in women affected by extramarital relationships. Also, spiritual well-being has a greater contribution in predicting post-traumatic growth of women affected by extramarital relationships. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that based on spiritual and social well-being, post-traumatic growth can be predicted in women affected by extramarital relationships.

The effectiveness of emotion-focused cognitive therapy on corona anxiety, sense of coherence and post-traumatic growth in women recovered from corona

Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of emotion-oriented cognitive therapy on anxiety of Corona, sense of coherence and post-traumatic growth in women recovered from Corona. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the research was all women who recovered from Corona in the city of Babol in 2021. The sample size of the study included 30 women who recovered from Corona, who were selected by the available sampling method and according to the study entry and exit criteria. The experimental group received the emotion-oriented cognitive therapy intervention based on the protocol provided by Power (2010) in 10 weekly 90-minute sessions. The questionnaires used in this research include the growth questionnaire. After Tedeschi and Calhoun's accident (1996), Corona Anxiety Questionnaire by Alipour et al. (2019) and Antonovsky's Coherence Questionnaire (1993) The data were analyzed by variance analysis with repeated measurements in spss.22 software. Results: The findings showed that in the post-test between the test groups and evidence in terms of corona anxiety (F=12.86, P<0.001), sense of coherence (F=60.34, P<0.001), and post-traumatic growth (F=79.61, P<0.001) There was a significant difference. In other words, the intervention of emotion-oriented cognitive therapy improved the level of anxiety of Corona, sense of coherence and post-traumatic growth of women recovered from Corona. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it is possible to suggest emotion-oriented cognitive therapy intervention as an effective method to increase corona anxiety, sense of coherence and post-traumatic growth of women recovered from corona.

A cross-sectional comparative study of self-compassion, body perception, and post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer versus those without a cancer diagnosis

Background: The diagnosis of breast cancer is a traumatic experience that might have a psychological impact on patients. Studies have revealed that self-compassion is significantly related to body image and post-traumatic growth. Objectives: We aimed to compare the relationship between self-compassion, post-traumatic growth, and body image between healthy individuals and patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a causal-comparative model and was conducted between May 8, 2022, and June 15, 2022, via open social media platforms. We enrolled women aged 18-65 years who resided in Mersin, Türkiye. Our cohort consisted of women with breast cancer and a control group of healthy women who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer. We used the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, Self-Compassion Scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and sociodemographic data forms for collecting information from participants. Results: We enrolled 174 participants; 80 patients with breast cancer, and 94 healthy controls. Self-compassion showed a higher prediction for post-traumatic growth in the group of patients with breast cancer (P < 0.001), whereas it showed a higher prediction for body image in the group of healthy individuals (P < 0.001). In patients with breast cancer, changes in relationships with others (P, 0.032) were higher, while body perception (P < 0.001) and self-compassion (P, 0.046) were lower than in individuals without a diagnosis of breast cancer. Furthermore, we found that patients with breast cancer who perceived that they had been provided with sufficient disease-related information showed higher scores on the self-compassion scale (P, 0.013). Conclusions: Self-compassion is an internal resource that can aid women in adjusting to the physical and psychological changes resulting from cancer or any kind of traumatic experience. Furthermore, self-compassion can be a solution for body dissatisfaction.

Psychological Well-Being Increment as Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer: A Controlled Comparison Design Using Propensity Score Matching.

The aim of this study was to confirm post-traumatic growth with respect to the psychological well-being of women with breast cancer compared to women without disease. Propensity score was used to match the two groups according to age, religious beliefs, education level, monthly income, and marital status. A psychological well-being scale with six factors was used, including positive relations with others (PR), autonomy (AU), environmental mastery (EM), personal growth (PG), purpose in life (PL), and self-acceptance (SA). A total 178 women with vs. 178 women without breast cancer were compared by matching with propensity scores, using factorial invariance tests to reduce measurement errors. The results showed that women with breast cancer had significantly higher psychological well-being for all the six factors (Δχ2 = 37.37, p < 0.001) and higher variability in terms of PR, AU, and PL than women without breast cancer (Δχ2 = 45.94, p < 0.001). Furthermore, women with breast cancer exhibited a significantly higher association between PG and PL and a significantly lower association between PG and EM than women without breast cancer (Δχ2 = 44.49, p < 0.001). This implies that psychological well-being could assess broader and more subtle post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer and that growth was more associated with internal life value than with external environmental control.

Posttraumatic growth and postpartum depression in women after childbirth: The moderating role of postpartum negative life events.

This study aimed to investigate the implications of postpartum negative life events on postpartum depression and posttraumatic growth in women after childbirth. A sample of 280 postpartum women at a level III hospital in China provided data on postpartum depression, negative life events, and posttraumatic growth with a cross-sectional design. The scores of both postpartum depression and negative life events exhibited a quadratic correlation with posttraumatic growth in women after childbirth, and negative life events significantly moderated the associations between depression and overall posttraumatic growth and its three dimensions: personal strength, spirit change, and relating to others. Women can experience positive psychological growth after childbirth, and this study provides new evidence of an interaction between postpartum depression and negative life events in the prediction of psychological growth, highlighting the moderating role of negative life events. This study could help direct mental health professionals to target interventions that provide more psychological support to reduce the impact of depression and negative life events, which will be conducive to improving women's psychological growth.

Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer: Intensity and Predictors.

Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTG occurs in a group of women with breast cancer and whether resilience is a personal trait contributing to its occurrence. The study group comprised 100 women with breast cancer, aged 31–80 years, almost half of whom were aged 61–70 years (n = 46, 46%). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP) were used for the study. All women manifested PTG, with a mean intensity of 76.61 ± 13.45 points. The greatest changes were observed in the subjects’ appreciation of life, and the smallest in their relations with others, self-perception, and spiritual changes. The KOP scale measured a mean resilience of 103.80 ± 16.57. The results obtained confirm the co-occurrence of psychological resilience and PTG, especially personal resilience and social competences. Additionally, women subjected to additional traumatic events other than cancer manifested a higher level of PTG.

Posttraumatic Growth in Women With a Long-Standing Experience of Involuntary Childlessness in the Czech Republic

This qualitative research study aimed to examine aspects of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in women with a long-standing experience of involuntary childlessness. In-depth semi-structured interviews, lasting an average of 53 min, were conducted in the Czech Republic. Twenty-four women, averaging 38.8 years old with an average of 6.2 years of infertility experience, participated. They were asked how involuntary childlessness affected/changed their partnerships, sexual life, job, future plans, attitude to children/values/faith, and leisure time. Participants shared both positive and negative aspects of the infertility experience. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five main themes of PTG were identified: strengthening of partnership, greater humility, deeper self-appreciation, reassessment of relationships, and changes in the philosophy of life. These findings could be useful to mental health providers to facilitate the PTG process in patients.

Investigation of Factors Associated with Psychological Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a traumatic experience. Those diagnosed with breast cancer often experience psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, traumatic experiences do not only cause psychological symptoms, but also can lead to positive changes named as posttraumatic growth (PTG). In the present study, it was aimed to examine both the psychological symptom (depression, anxiety, stress) and PTG levels of women with breast cancer and the relationship of these variables with core beliefs challenge and rumination types. Sociodemographic and Cancer-Related Information Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Core Beliefs Inventory, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory were applied to 201 women with breast cancer diagnosis (Mage = 47.81, SD = 8.58), mediation relations of variables were examined with Process Macro. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the psychological symptom levels of the majority of the participants were low and their PTG levels were above medium. It was determined that core beliefs challenge positively predicted depression, anxiety, stress, and PTG. Intrusive rumination mediated the relationship between core beliefs challenge and depression, anxiety and stress; deliberate rumination mediated the relationship between core beliefs challenge and PTG. In other words, as the core belief challenge of the participants increase, both psychological symptom and PTG levels increase. In addition, those who use intrusive rumination experience more psychological symptom, and those who use deliberate rumination experience more PTG. The present study reveals the importance of cognitive processes in understanding the psychological symptoms and PTG in women with breast cancer. Keywords: Breast cancer, psychological symptom, posttraumatic growth, core belief challenge, event-related rumination

Effectiveness of Existential-Humanity based Therapy on Psychological Well-Being and Post-¬Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Iranian women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of existential-humanity based therapy on psychological well-being and post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer.&#x0D; Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design with a control group. The population of  this study insisted all the patients with breast cancer that referred to Khorramabad Shahid Rahimi Hospital in 2020. 30 patients selected randomly and assigned in two groups (15 experimental and 15 evidence), and it was asked them to answer to the Reef psychological well-being scale and post-traumatic growth questionnaire by Tedachi et al. Afterwards, the experimental group was intervened in 8 sessions of 90 minutes. After the intervention, post-test was taken from both groups and both groups were followed up again after two months. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS version 16 software.&#x0D; Results: The results of analysis of repeated measures ANOVA showed that the interaction between group and time was significant. Therefore, psychological well-being variable increased significantly (F=77.98, P&lt;0/01) and post-­trauma growth variable increased significantly (F=27.46, P&lt;0/01).&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the results of the study, existential-humanity based therapy has a significant effect on psychological well-being and post-traumatic growth in breast cancer patients. It would be beneficial to offer, along with medication, psychological treatments, including existential-humanity based therapy to these patients should be considered.

Investigation of Structural Relationships of Factors Affecting Posttraumatic Growth in Women With Breast Cancer

Introduction: It is necessary to identify the factors affecting the posttraumatic growth of cancer patients to minimize the consequences of its psychological trauma. Objective: This study aimed to determine the structural relationships of coping styles, the collapse of core beliefs, social support, spirituality/religious coping with posttraumatic growth variables, and the mediating role of positive reassessment and deliberate mental rumination within a causal pattern. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using path analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) by convenience sampling method on 213 patients with breast cancer in Mashhad, Iran, in 2019. The pattern of variables relationships was tested in a conceptual model by SEM and used the partial least squares regression method to test the measurement pattern and research hypotheses. In the measurement model section, three convergent validity indices, i.e., Average Variance Extracted (AVE), Composite Reliability (CR), and the Cronbach α, and in the structural model section, two indicators of coefficient of determination (R2) and Stone-Geisser coefficient (Q²). Results: The Mean±SD age of the patients was 52±16 years. The standardized coefficients of the overall effect of core beliefs pathways, positive religious coping, search for meaning, presence of meaning, deliberate rumination over positive re-evaluation were 0.953, 0.386, -0.250, 0.248, and 0.238, respectively (P=0.001). The direct coefficient of the positive reassessment path to posttraumatic growth was 0.085 (P=0.01). Also, the coefficient of collapse path of core beliefs to intrusive rumination was 0.687, which was significant at the level of P=0.0001. Finally, the standardized coefficients of the overall effect of all paths for negative religious coping, the collapse of core beliefs, presence of meaning, problem-based coping style, search for meaning, deliberate rumination, social support, positive religious coping, emotion-based coping, intrusive rumination over posttraumatic growth were -0.481, 0.227, 0.182, 0.146, -0.136, 0.066, 0.060, 0.059, 0.056, and -0.043, respectively (P=0.0001). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that in addition to confirming the direct paths of independent variables to the posttraumatic growth, positive reassessment had a mediating role between pathways of the presence and search of meaning, conscious rumination, religious coping, and the collapse of core beliefs in posttraumatic growth.

Posttraumatic growth in women who have experienced the loss of their spouse or partner.

The loss of a spouse or long-term partner has a significant impact on a woman's well-being; psychological, physical, social, spiritual, and economic. Women dealing with loss are faced with numerous stressors which place them at risk for a variety of health challenges. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of women who have lost their spouse or partner to death using the theoretical framework of posttraumatic growth (PTG) developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with semi-structured interviews of 15 widows. Purposive sampling was employed using the researchers' nursing network of colleagues through their academic institutions, hospital affiliations, and professional organizations. Six themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Listen to my story of loss, (2) Pushing through the sadness, (3) Anticipated versus unanticipated loss, (4) A new depth of compassion and empathy, (5) My strength grew over time, and (6) My view of myself changed. Participants experienced varying degrees of PTG evidenced by a greater appreciation of life, personal strength, improved relationships, new possibilities, and spiritual growth. Knowledge development in this sphere enhances nursing practice in caring for women as they navigate life without their significant other. Nurses are in pivotal positions to educate others about the grieving process and the possibility of PTG. They help women find their way through trauma and teach others about healing, coping, empathy, compassion and the power of being connected to other human beings.

Posttraumatic Growth in Women who have Experienced Loss of a Child.

The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experiences of women who have lost a child and the degree of posttraumatic growth revealed by the experiences. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with interviews of mothers and grandmothers of children who died using the posttraumatic growth framework. Participants included 11 mothers and 2 grandmothers. The posttraumatic growth framework was useful in examining their experiences. Seven themes were identified through data analysis: When my child died, I lost part of myself; Anticipated loss versus unanticipated loss; Picking up the pieces of my life; Support, kindness, and compassion helped; Moving on while still broken; Never forgotten, always in my heart; and Holding my loved ones close. Nurses are in strategic positions to help women who have experienced the loss of a child by building rapport, establishing trust, and demonstrating empathy.

Relationship between locus of control and post-traumatic growth in women with breast cancer

Introduction: Currently, instead of focusing on negative outcomes of breast cancer, researchers concentrate on potential positive outcomes which refer to post-traumatic growth (PTG). Objectives: The aim of this research was to investigate PTG and its relation with the locus of control (LOC) in women with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: The samples in this descriptive, correlational research contained 196 participants with breast cancer, who were referred to an oncology center in Qazvin, Iran. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics questionnaire, PTG inventory, and LOC scale. Pearson’s test was applied to assess the relation between PTG and LOC. Results: The mean PTG score was 61.43 ± 12.06, which indicated some degrees of growth in all the participants. Regarding LOC, the majority of the participants (74.5%) were external and the minority of them (25.5%) were internal. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant reverse relationship between PTG and external LOC in the participants (P&lt;0.05; r=-0.253). Conclusion: The significant negative correlation between PTG and external LOC can help health staff, managers, and politicians to enhance the psychological health of women with breast cancer.