Model Of Posttraumatic Growth Research Articles

Posttraumatic Growth Following the Loss of a Pet.

The current study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) experienced by bereaved pet owners following the death of their pet. Using qualitative methodology, we analyzed responses of 308 participants who answered yes to a question about experiencing PTG. Within the five factors model of PTG, the most endorsed included the following: Relating to Others ( n = 76), Appreciation of Life ( n = 52), Personal Strength ( n = 51), Spiritual Change ( n = 32), and New Possibilities ( n = 29). Other themes not captured by the PTG included as follows: relating to animals ( n = 70), continuing bonds ( n = 53), attachment relationship ( n = 44), and unconditional love ( n = 13). Our findings support the notion that PTG occurs for people who have experienced pet loss, with new emergent themes.

Posttraumatic Growth and Bereavement: The Contribution of Self-Determination Theory.

No research drawing from Self-Determination Theory has investigated the bereavement experience of individuals or how motivation can help facilitate posttraumatic growth (PTG) following the death of a loved one. In two cross-sectional studies, university students completed an online survey. Study 1 investigated the contribution of global autonomous and controlled motivation in statistically predicting PTG above and beyond previously researched correlates. Study 2 explored the mediating role of cognitive appraisals and coping in explaining the relationship between global motivation orientations and PTG. Results indicated that in comparison to controlled motivation, autonomous motivation was positively related PTG, even after controlling for previously researched correlates. Mediation results indicated an indirect effect of global autonomous motivation on PTG through task-oriented coping. Collectively, these findings suggest the importance of incorporating motivation into models of PTG. Clinical implications of these findings are also discussed.

Relationships Between Latent Factors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Growth.

In the present study, we examined posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic growth (PTG) responses among a nonclinical sample of 202 participants. Instruments included the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the most support for the 6-factor DSM-5 PTSD model and 5-factor PTG model, previously supported in the literature. Canonical correlation analysis evidenced a strong relationship between PTSD and PTG subscales. Path analysis results demonstrated that PTSD's re-experiencing subscale was related to PTG's appreciation for life subscale. Posttraumatic stress disorder's avoidance was related to PTG's personal strength subscale. We also tested curvilinear relationships between PTSD and PTG subscales. Results and implications are discussed in the context of the constructs of PTSD and PTG.

Posttraumatic growth in breast cancer survivors: does age matter?

Many women report positive life changes, or posttraumatic growth (PTG), as a result of their experience with breast cancer. However, despite compelling evidence that younger age at diagnosis is associated consistently with greater distress, age has not been integrated into models of PTG. Drawing from the theoretical and empirical literature, we tested whether key correlates (i.e., cancer-related impact and engagement, positive mood) of PTG varied by age at breast cancer diagnosis. Participants were 175 women with early stage breast cancer followed from completion of primary treatment through one year post-treatment. Analyses involved data collected at the one-year assessment. As hypothesized, correlates of PTG varied significantly as a function of age. Perceived negative impact of the cancer experience was associated with growth for older women (p = .046), whereas approach-oriented coping (p = .004), an expansive time perspective (p = .007), and positive mood were associated with growth for younger women (p = .007). PTG may involve distinct processes for women diagnosed at different ages. Consideration of lifespan developmental processes is necessary when studying positive adjustment to cancer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Coping, rumination and posttraumatic growth in people affected by an earthquake.

In this article, the evaluation of a structural model that seeks to identify predictors and mediators of posttraumatic growth (PTG) of people affected by a natural disaster is presented. The sample was composed of 349 adult men and women who experienced the earthquake and tsunami on February 27, 2010 in Chile. A modeling with structural equations was used, contrasting two predictive models of PTG. The latent variables assessed were subjective severity, social sharing of emotion, intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination, problem-focused coping and posttraumatic growth. The best fit was obtained with the model that shows a direct influence of the subjective severity, problem-focused coping, and deliberate rumination in the presence of PTG. Problem-focused coping mediated the relation between subjective severity and social sharing with PTG. In turn, deliberate rumination mediated the relation of problem-focused coping and intrusive rumination with PTG. The results show the relevant role of cognitive processes such as deliberate rumination and behavioral processes such as problem-focused coping in the presence of PTG.

A Review of Posttraumatic Growth and Help‐Seeking Behavior in Cancer Survivors: Effects of Distal and Proximate Culture

AbstractRecent studies have shown that cancer survivors experience severe psychological distress, but some also experience personal growth, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Help‐seeking behavior (HSB) is critical for cancer survivors to better cope with stress and possibly experience PTG. The existing theoretical models of PTG and HSB assume that cancer survivors, regardless of their cultural background or personality, will receive benefit from actively interacting with others. The purpose of this review article is to critically examine this assumption and to propose that the roles of distal and proximate cultures need to be considered in further understanding the psychological mechanisms of PTG and HSB. Future studies should identify the culture‐specific meanings and implications of experiencing PTG and engaging in HSB.

Are Specific Emotion Regulation Strategies Differentially Associated with Posttraumatic Growth Versus Stress?

Extremely few studies have examined emotion regulation strategies as predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to examine several specific emotion regulation strategies, along with meaning making, as predictors of PTG, as opposed to posttraumatic distress. Participants were 107 adult women who had experienced a very stressful or traumatic event within the past 3 years and completed questionnaires measuring emotion regulation, meaning making, distress, and PTG. Emotion suppression positively predicted distress, but not PTG. Meaning making positively predicted PTG and negatively predicted distress. Bootstrapped mediation models showed that emotional processing has a significant indirect effect on PTG and distress through its effect on meaning making. Results indicate that researchers should pay closer attention to emotional processes involved in etiological models of PTG. It might also be helpful to examine specific emotion regulation strategies, as these can point to ways to help people navigate recovery from trauma.

Emerging posttraumatic growth: a prospective study with pre- and posttrauma psychological predictors.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is viewed as a positive psychological change resulting from a struggle with trauma. A number of trauma-related factors have been proven effective in predicting PTG; however, the effects of pretrauma psychological factors on PTG have not been adequately evaluated (e.g., using a prospective design). This prospective study examined the effects of pretrauma psychological factors (e.g., coping styles, prior trauma) on PTG. In total, 810 Taiwanese undergraduate students were recruited for a baseline survey (Time 1), among whom 592 completed a survey 2 months later (Time 2). Data from 110 participants who had experienced trauma between Time1 and Time 2 were used for analysis. Among the pretrauma factors examined at baseline, only rumination and distractive style were positively correlated with PTG. The posttrauma factors based on Calhoun and Tedeschi's model (i.e., core belief challenge, deliberate rumination, and social support) were also positively correlated with PTG. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that pretrauma coping styles had an incremental effect on PTG beyond posttrauma predictors. Deliberate rumination signifciantly mediated the relationship between pretrauma rumination and PTG. These findings highlight the role of pretrauma psychological factors in PTG and present further support for Calhoun and Tedeschi's model of PTG.

The Role of Functionality in the Latent Structure of Posttraumatic Growth among Survivors of a Flash Flood Disaster

Several studies have examined what model of posttraumatic growth (PTG) best represents its latent structure among Asian population but yielded inconsistent results. Furthermore, there is limited literature assessing the factor structure of PTG in the aftermath of a disaster, and so far, none have looked into the moderating effect of functionality. The present study examined the role of functionality in various areas (work/occupation, domestic chores, relationship with friends, leisure activities, and relationship with family) in the latent structure of PTG among survivors of flash flood disaster (N = 912). Findings revealed the 3-factor model as the best-fitting and can be generalized between functional and dysfunctional groups in the areas of work/occupation, domestic chores, and leisure activities, but not with relationships with family and friends. The findings that relationships with family and friends moderate the latent structure of PTG can be vital in integrating interventions that would address the relational issues among survivors.

Posttraumatic growth in post-surgical coronary artery bypass graft patients.

Recent research in posttraumatic growth has been applied to people with life-threatening illnesses to optimise recovery. There is a lack of research exploring posttraumatic growth in coronary artery bypass graft patients. This article describes the recovery experience of 14 coronary artery bypass graft patients (13 males and 1 female) at their first outpatient review post-surgery. Grounded theory analysis was used to develop a model of distinct and shared pathways to growth depending on whether patients were symptomatic or asymptomatic pre-coronary artery bypass graft. Outcomes of posttraumatic growth in this sample included action-based healthy lifestyle growth and two forms of cognitive growth: appreciation of life and new possibilities. The model of posttraumatic growth developed in this study may be helpful in guiding future research into promoting posttraumatic growth and behaviour change in coronary artery bypass graft patients.

Posttraumatic growth in survivors of intimate partner violence: an assumptive world process.

Adverse consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV) are well documented, whereas less research has explored positive changes. Recent efforts indicate that survivors report posttraumatic growth (PTG), but the schema reconstruction hypothesis by which this is achieved is in need of further investigation. One model of PTG suggests that growth is triggered by trauma(s) that challenges an individual's assumptive world. This threat promotes cognitive processing and schema reconstruction that fosters a sense of meaning and value in one's life. As schema change is posited as the main cognitive antecedent of PTG, a longitudinal assessment of world assumptions was used to examine whether assumption change predicts PTG in IPV survivors. Results indicate that world assumptions became more positive 1 year after an initial interview but only for women who had not been revictimized in the year between study assessments. Furthermore, positive world assumption change was associated with greater PTG scores. Implications for intervention and research are discussed.

A structural equation model of posttraumatic growth after prostate cancer.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) encompasses an individual's perception of positive personal changes as a consequence of a traumatic incident. The current study tested a theoretical model of PTG with the inclusion of resilience in the context of cancer survivors. Members of a prostate cancer support network were invited to complete a cross-sectional mail survey (N = 514, 52.8% response; mean age 70.17 years, and time since diagnosis 7.5 years). Challenge appraisal (β = 0.361), examining core beliefs (β = 0.474), intrusive rumination (β = 0.130), and peer support factors (β = 0.104) had significant direct effects on PTG. Resilience (β = 0.164), challenge appraisal (β = 0.215), distress (β = 0.186), and examining core beliefs (β = 0.105) had significant indirect effects on PTG. Results support the notion that the appraisal of cancer, disruption of fundamental beliefs, and experience of intrusive cancer-related rumination are associated with PTG. Additionally, a sense of connection with peers and seeking an understanding of the cancer experience through peers is important for the perception of PTG. Possible indirect pathways were also proposed between resilience and PTG.

Predicting post‐traumatic growth and post‐traumatic stress in firefighters

Emergency service workers (e.g., firefighters, police, and paramedics) are exposed to elevated levels of potentially traumatising events through the course of their work. Such exposure can have lasting negative consequences (e.g., post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) and/or positive outcomes (e.g., post‐traumatic growth (PTG)). Research had implicated trauma, occupational and personal variables that account for variance in post‐trauma outcomes yet at this stage no research has investigated these factors and their relative influence on both PTSD and PTG in a single study. Based in Calhoun and Tedeschi's model of PTG and previous research, in this study regression models of PTG and PTSD symptoms among 218 firefighters were tested. Results indicated organisational factors predicted symptoms of PTSD, while there was partial support for the hypothesis that coping and social support would be predictors of PTG. Experiencing multiple sources of trauma, higher levels of organisational and operational stress, and utilising cognitive reappraisal coping were all significant predictors of PTSD symptoms. Increases in PTG were predicted by experiencing trauma from multiple sources and the use of self‐care coping. Results highlight the importance of organisational factors in the development of PTSD symptoms, and of individual factors for promoting PTG.

Vicarious posttraumatic growth: Predictors of growth and relationships with adjustment.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is now recognized as a possible outcome in the wake of trauma that has been experienced either directly or indirectly. With this in mind, the aims of the current study were threefold: to assess the applicability of Calhoun and Tedeschi's (2006, 1996) five-factor model of PTG in relation to vicarious PTG; assess the factors that are predictive of vicarious PTG; and assess the extent to which vicarious PTG is able to predict adjustment. The sample comprised of 126 university students and general community members. The factor analysis revealed that a two-factor solution (personal growth and changes in worldview) best explained vicarious PTG. The regression analyses revealed that intrusion was a significant positive predictor of personal growth and that intrinsic religiosity, meaningfulness, and intrusion were significant positive predictors of changes in worldview. It was also found that changes in worldview predicted better adjustment while personal growth predicted poorer adjustment. Implications and future directions for research are discussed in light of the results obtained. Language: en

The Roles of Rumination and Social Support in the Associations between Core Belief Challenge and Post-traumatic Growth among Adolescent Survivors after the Wenchuan Earthquake

The aftermath of traumatic events differs from person to person. Although some people show negative results, many people report positive results such as Post-traumatic Growth(PTG). PTG refers to positive psychological changes resulted from individuals' struggle against their main threatening life adversity, and it contains changed perception of self, changed sense of interpersonal relationship, and changed philosophy of life. Recently, the overwhelming majority of research has put their emphasis on the influencing factors of PTG, particularly the exploration of the developmental mechanism of PTG. According to Calhoun and Tedeschi's model of PTG, traumatic event is assumed to challenge the important components of individuals' assumptive world or core beliefs. When a trauma event happens, individuals are led to reexamine their core beliefs, and what makes it possible for individuals to recognize the positive changes and experience PTG. Therefore, the challenge to individuals' assumptive world or core beliefs is an important element for understanding the developmental process of PTG.Although many theoretical and empirical studies agreed that core belief challenge had effects on PTG, the roles of other relevant factors in the relationship of core belief challenge to PTG have been ignored. Relevant theories indicate that rumination may play an important role in the process which core belief challenge affects PTG, and social support may moderate the path which rumination impacts on PTG. For this reason, rumination and social support were incorporated into the exploration of relationship between core beliefs and PTG in our study, and the internal mechanism how core belief challenge affects PTG was also taken into much account. In the current study, 354 adolescents(165 males, 189 females) from grade 8, 9 in junior schools and grade 11, 12 in senior high schools of the Wenchuan county were investigated by means of questionnaires four and a half years after the Wenchuan earthquake. The main results were as follows:(1) The overall level of PTG among adolescents was high, while the level of female students was higher than that of male students, and the grade 8 students' PTG level was lower than that of students from any other grades.(2) Both intrusive rumination and deliberate rumination mediated partly the relationship between core belief challenge and PTG. On the one hand, core belief challenge could affect the PTG directly. On the other hand, core belief challenge could affect PTG negatively through intrusive rumination while had a positive effect on PTG through deliberate rumination. In addition, core belief challenge could affect PTG positively via the indirect way which intrusive rumination influenced deliberate rumination.(3) Neither the relationship of intrusive rumination to nor deliberate rumination to PTG, the path which social support moderated was the relationship of intrusive rumination to deliberate rumination. To be specific, the effect of intrusive rumination on deliberate rumination decreased with the increase of social support. That is, social support moderated the indirect path from intrusive rumination to PTG via deliberate rumination. The results have indicated that school psychologists should take notice of the changes in adolescents' core beliefs before and after the disaster, and guide them to think the significance of life positively. Moreover, the encouragement of positive cognition should also be given while social support for students be provided.

Promoting Factors of Post-traumatic Growth, Model and Intervene

Post-traumatic Growth(PTG) means positive changes experienced as a result of the psychological struggle with highly challenging events or major life crises. This article summarized the relevant study about PTG and also discussed the factors enhancing the coping processes that were identified to be significantly associated with PTG, such as personality traits、social support、benefit finding and meaning making. In addition, we summarized those models of PTG proposed by psychologist in different perspectives. Some innovative strategies were put forward in order to improve PTG. At last, we proposed some suggestions to overcome the limitations in some variables. Future studies should emphasized on longitudinal research which has many assessment points and construct different PTG models fit to different groups of people.

Post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with autism: A phenomenological study

While the adverse effects of raising a child with autism are well demonstrated, there have been few reports of the post-traumatic growth of mothers of children with autism. The purpose of this research was to explore dimensions of post-traumatic growth in this population in Mainland China and identify the factors facilitating post-traumatic growth. A total of 11 mothers of pre-school children were recruited from five rehabilitation centres of children with disabilities in Shanghai. The semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2012 and October 2012 and analysed using thematic analysis. The data partially confirmed Tedeschi and Calhoun's model of post-traumatic growth. A new philosophy of life, appreciation of life, relating to others, personal strength and spiritual change were five domains of post-traumatic growth in mothers of children with autism. Perceived social support, peer example, effective coping style and self-efficacy enhancement were facilitating factors of post-traumatic growth. Further studies are needed to understand how to promote the post-traumatic growth of mothers of children with autism.

The moderation of resilience on the negative effect of pain on depression and post-traumatic growth in individuals with spinal cord injury

Purpose: To determine the moderating effect of resilience on the negative effects of chronic pain on depression and post-traumatic growth. Method: Community-dwelling individuals with SCI (n = 37) were recruited at short-term admission for yearly regular health examination. Participants completed self-rating standardized questionnaires measuring pain, resilience, depression and post-traumatic growth. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed to identify the moderating effect of resilience on the relationships of pain with depression and post-traumatic growth after controlling for relevant covariates. Results: In the regression model of depression, the effect of pain severity on depression was decreased (β was changed from 0.47 to 0.33) after entering resilience into the model. In the final model, both pain and resilience were significant independent predictors for depression (β = 0.33, p = 0.038 and β = −0.47, p = 0.012, respectively). In the regression model of post-traumatic growth, the effect of pain severity became insignificant after entering resilience into the model. In the final model, resilience was a significant predictor (β = 0.51, p = 0.016). Conclusions: Resilience potentially mitigated the negative effects of pain. Moreover, it independently contributed to reduced depression and greater post-traumatic growth. Our findings suggest that resilience might provide a potential target for intervention in SCI individuals.Implications for RehabilitationThe majority of individuals with spinal cord injury suffer from pain that is usually refractory to treatment.In a study among community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury, resilience mitigated the negative effects of pain on depression and post-traumatic growth.Resilience might be suggested to provide a potential target for intervention in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Post‐traumatic growth in stroke carers: A comparison of theories

This study examined variables associated with post-traumatic growth (PTG) in stroke carers and compared predictions of two models of PTG within this population: the model of Schaefer and Moos was compared to that of Tedeschi and Calhoun (1992, Personal coping: Theory, research, and application. Westport, CT: Praeger, 149; 1998, Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 99; 2004, Psychol. Inq., 15, 1, respectively). A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Carers of stroke survivors (N = 71) completed questionnaires measuring PTG, coping style, social support, survivor functioning, age, and carer quality of life. Correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were used to test hypotheses. All carers completing the PTG measure (N = 70) reported growth, but average scores differed from cancer carers (Chambers et al., 2012, Eur. J. Cancer Care, 21, 213; Thombre et al., 2010, J. Psychosocial Oncol., 28, 173). PTG was positively correlated with deliberate and intrusive rumination, avoidance coping, social support, and quality of life. Regression analysis showed that factors identified by Tedeschi and Calhoun (deliberate rumination, intrusive rumination, social support, acceptance coping, survivor functioning) accounted for 49% of variance in PTG, whereas those identified by Schaefer and Moos (active coping, avoidance coping, social support, survivor functioning, and age) accounted for only 21%. Rumination, especially deliberate rumination, explained most variance in PTG and mediated the effect of social support on PTG. The findings add to the limited body of evidence suggesting that stroke carers experience growth. Deliberate rumination and social support are important in explaining growth, and the findings support the model proposed by Tedeschi and Calhoun over that of Schaefer and Moos. What is already known on this subject? Literature on caring for stroke survivors focuses on negative outcomes (Ilse, Feys, de Wit, Putman, & de Weerdt, 2008) to the exclusion of positive outcomes such as post-traumatic growth (PTG; Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999). Studies of a variety of health conditions have demonstrated that PTG occurs in patients and carers after illness events and is associated with well-being (Gangstad, Norman, & Barton, 2006; Helgeson, Reynolds, & Tomich, 2006; Kim, Schulz, & Carver, 2007). Exploratory studies and studies of benefit finding have shown that PTG occurs in stroke carers (Bacon, Milne, Sheikh, & Freeston, 2009; Buschenfeld, Morris, & Lockwood, 2009; Haley et al., 2009; Thompson, 1991), but there are no studies using standard instruments to assess PTG in this population. Moreover, current theories posit different explanations for PTG (Schaefer & Moos, 1992, 1998; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004), and there is a need for empirical tests (Park, 2010). What does this study add? This study extends knowledge by measuring PTG with a standard instrument in a sample of UK stroke carers and investigating associated variables. The study also compared the predictive power of the models of PTG proposed by Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) and Schaefer and Moos (1992, 1998). PTG was found in UK stroke carers, but levels differed from cancer carers in other countries. Factors associated with PTG were identified; Tedeschi and Calhoun's model best predicted PTG. Deliberate rumination had a direct effect on PTG and also mediated the effect of social support. Deliberate rumination is a possible target for therapeutic interventions to enhance PTG.

Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth and their relationship to coping and self-efficacy in Northwest Australian cyclone communities.

Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth and their relationship to coping and self-efficacy in Northwest Australian cyclone communities.