Although recovery capital and psychological flexibility have each been associated with substance use recovery, their combined role in fostering posttraumatic growth remains unclear. This study integrates recovery capital theory with psychological flexibility and posttraumatic growth frameworks to test a theory-driven model of adaptive recovery processes. The study sought to (1) examine whether recovery capital or abstinence predicts posttraumatic growth, (2) assess whether recovery capital or abstinence status predicts psychological flexibility, and (3) test whether psychological flexibility statistically mediates the relationship between recovery and posttraumatic growth. A national sample of 244 adults in recovery from substance use disorder completed the Assessment of Recovery Capital, the Personalized Psychological Flexibility Index, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory—Expanded. Multiple linear regressions addressed the first two aims. For Aim 3, the mediation model was tested using the SPSS PROCESS macro (version 4.0) with 5000 bootstrap resamples. Recovery capital significantly predicted both posttraumatic growth and psychological flexibility. Abstinence status did not predict posttraumatic or psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility partially mediated the association between recovery capital and posttraumatic growth. Psychological flexibility may be a key mechanism by which recovery capital fosters posttraumatic growth, supporting interventions that enhance both resources beyond abstinence alone.

Landslides cause multidimensional impacts, not only psychological but also social and spiritual. This study highlights the importance of understanding survivors’ journeys toward self-acceptance, considering the limited research that emphasizes the role of spirituality in trauma recovery within the religious-cultural context of Indonesia. The study proposes to understand and describe the spiritual experiences of landslide survivors as they journey from trauma to self-acceptance. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with survivors who experienced significant trauma. Thematic analysis was employed to capture psychological, social, and spiritual dynamics in participants lived experiences. The findings reveal that the survivors’ journey is transformative, characterized by phases of emotional turmoil, social disconnection, and eventually the search for new meaning through religious practices and spiritual coping. Spirituality emerged as the primary source of strength in fostering resilience and transforming suffering into post-traumatic growth. This study contributes theoretically by enriching disaster psychology literature with a focus on spirituality and meaning-making, methodologically by applying an in-depth phenomenological approach, and practically by providing a basis for developing locally grounded, spiritually oriented psychosocial interventions to support disaster survivors’ recovery.

Aim: The study examined the effects of post-traumatic growth on self-care agency in patients who had suffered an MI. Methods: The study was conducted with 397 patients who applied to the Cardiology Clinics of a city hospital in Istanbul between March 24 and July 23, 2024. The data of the study were collected with the Patient Information Form, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and Self-Care Ability Scale. Results: The mean waist circumference of the patients was found to be 103.06±16.93 cm, EF (%) was 46.39±12.6, 76.8% had comorbidities, 74.1% had hypertension, 89.7% had someone who supported their care, 51.4% were doing physical activity, 70.3% had had 1 heart attack, 58.7% had 0-6 months since their last heart attack, and 59.7% had a family member who had a heart attack. The mean change in self-perception of the patients was 25.3±16.42, the mean change in philosophy of life was 11.46±7.84, the mean change in relationships with others was 10.43±8.94, the mean Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory was 47.2±31.11, and the mean self-care agency scale was 101.74±20.75. The simple linear regression analysis that was used to determine the effects of post-traumatic growth on self-care agency was found to be statistically significant (F=27.886, p<0.001). The post-traumatic growth (β=0.257, p<0.01) variable had a positive and significant effect on self-care agency. Conclusion: The post-traumatic growth and self-care abilities of the patients were found to be at moderate levels, and as post-traumatic growth increased, self-care abilities also increased.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) are recognized psychological outcomes of trauma, yet their relationship and role of resilience remain incompletely understood. Resilience, shaped by social and cultural factors, may reduce distress and facilitate growth, making it critical for public mental health strategies. The objective is to systematically map and synthesize evidence on the mediating and moderating role of resilience in the relationship between PTSD and PTG, with attention to social, cultural and contextual determinants relevant to population mental health. A scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched for English-language studies from 2015 to May 2025. Eligible studies examined PTSD and PTG outcomes related to resilience in trauma-exposed populations. Data were charted on study design, population, measures used, main findings and social and cultural factors. The review identified 14 relevant studies that demonstrated varying relationships between PTSD and PTG. Some studies found a positive linear relationship, where higher PTSD symptoms were linked to increased PTG, provided cognitive processing and resources were available. Other studies revealed a non-linear relationship, with moderate PTSD levels corresponding to the highest PTG, while very low or high symptoms were associated with lower PTG. Resilience consistently showed a positive association with PTG, acting either as a mediator that transforms distress into growth or as a moderator that mitigates the impact of PTSD. Additionally, social support, self-compassion, cognitive reappraisal and hope were found to enhance PTG. Resilience is a key factor shaping trauma outcomes, but its interaction with social determinants warrants further exploration. Strengthening individual and community resilience through social support, equitable access to care and culturally sensitive interventions may enhance recovery and foster growth at the population level. These findings have direct implications for clinical assessment and trauma-focused psychotherapy, highlighting resilience as a modifiable therapeutic target.

To examine the relationships among spirituality, happiness, life attitude and posttraumatic growth in haemodialysis patients, and to test whether life attitude and posttraumatic growth acted as potential mediators in the association between spirituality and happiness. A cross-sectional correlational study. We recruited 299 maintenance haemodialysis patients from nine dialysis clinics in Taiwan using convenience sampling. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires measuring spirituality, happiness, life attitude and posttraumatic growth. Pearson's correlation coefficients and mediation analyses using the PROCESS 4.2 macro for SPSS were conducted to test associations and mediating effects. The mean age of participants was 60.90 years (SD = 12.39), and the average duration of haemodialysis was 5.32 years (SD = 5.30). Spirituality was significantly positively correlated with happiness, life attitude, and posttraumatic growth (r = 0.571, 0.643 and 0.473; all p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed a significant total effect of spirituality on happiness (B = 0.196, 95% CI [0.164, 0.228]) and a direct effect (B = 0.060, 95% CI [0.024, 0.096]). Life attitude and posttraumatic growth significantly mediated this relationship (B = 0.082, 95% CI [0.055, 0.110]) and (B = 0.054, 95% CI [0.035, 0.075]), respectively. Spirituality is associated with higher happiness in haemodialysis patients, and this pattern was consistent with potential indirect pathways via positive life attitudes and promoting posttraumatic growth. These findings offer insight into the psychological mechanisms linking spirituality and well-being in chronically ill patients. Integrating spiritual assessment and tailored interventions into clinical care may be relevant for psychological well-being and overall quality of life in this population. This highlights the importance of addressing spiritual dimensions in chronic care settings. Study methods and results were reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist. No patient or public contribution. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06098924.

The global COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted psychological health, leading to widespread negative effects on mental health worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the variables that influence resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of Mexicans during the pandemic, considering the greater ability of resilient individuals to recover from traumatic crises. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and explanatory study was conducted, applying a battery of brief instruments through a Google Form. Variables were analyzed using descriptive, correlational, and SEM path analysis, relating resilience and PTG with sociodemographic variables, adherence to preventive measures, and mental health. Results showed that resilience and PTG were at medium levels, with significant relationships between both variables and sociodemographic characteristics, adherence, and mental health (resilience: rho = .028-.176, .152-.223, and .219-.246, p &lt; .01; PTG: rho = .010 - .338, .205 - .210, and .153 - .229, p &lt; .01). The path analysis evidenced the influence of individual characteristics that can promote a positive adaptation, as well as the protective role of resilience and PTG in the Mexican population. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of evaluating sociodemographic variables and the psychological state of the population, as these can be indicators to estimate the degree of adherence to preventive behaviors and the levels of resilience and PTG in stressful events.

The study aimed to identify the relationship between traumatic growth and the meaning of life among nursing students and examined the influential variables. The study has a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design based on self-reported data. This study was conducted with 649 undergraduate nursing students in Turkey from May to September 2022. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form, Traumatic Experiences List (TEL), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and it was analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Student-t test, post hoc test, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation, and Multiple linear regression. It was found that 40.5% of the nursing students had their own traumatic experience (15.7% loss of a loved person, 5.1% physical, sexual or emotional assault). It was seen that the PTGI total mean scores varied between groups concerning their class grades, experiencing trauma or being exposed to the trauma of a relative, and receiving psychological support. The MLQ total mean scores varied by class grade, economic status, and exposure to a relative's traumatic event. In the regression analysis, post-traumatic growth, economic status, and a relative's traumatic experience explained 10.6% of the variance in meaning in life. The relatively low explanatory power of the model and the below-average levels of post-traumatic growth may reflect the cumulative and recent nature of large-scale stressors (e.g., pandemic-related disruptions and societal traumas), as well as insufficient time for cognitive processing and meaning reconstruction following trauma. It was revealed that the students' traumatic growth scores were below the mean; their meaning of life scores were above the mean, and the meaning of life increased as post-traumatic growth increased. As can be seen, although a traumatic experience is a stressful, destructive experience that leads to negative experiences and even disorders, it is also an opportunity that allows people to create a new structure and become more functional than before. Nursing students share their perspectives on their traumatic growth and on the meaning of life. These findings will provide important information for nursing education, aiming to increase students' psychological resilience to traumatic events, improve their coping skills in the face of negative events, organise training in coping with trauma, and ensure their psychosocial adaptation.

Major earthquakes often cause extensive physical, emotional, and social disruptions, potentially triggering posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as well as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined PTSS and PTG among adults affected by two high-magnitude earthquakes (Mw 7.7 and 7.6) that struck the Kahramanmaras region of Türkiye, a seismically active area located along a major fault line. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted from April to July 2023 and involved 178 participants living in temporary dormitory shelters. Data collection included a personal information form, the Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Scale, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. More than half the participants reported severe fear (53.1%), loss of relatives (50.3%), relatives who were injured (53.1%), or financial loss due to the earthquake (50.8%). The most commonly reported PTSS symptom cluster was hyperarousal. Mean PTSS and PTG scores were 84.51 ± 22.24 and 60.73 ± 22.19, respectively. Regression analysis showed that intense fear during the earthquake significantly predicted higher PTSS scores, while a history of preexisting mental illness was associated with lower PTSS. No significant correlation was found between PTSS and PTG, suggesting these outcomes may develop independently in the early stages of disaster recovery. These findings underscore the need for psychosocial support tailored to postearthquake circumstances, particularly given the reported high PTSS levels. Larger scale research is recommended to refine these insights and to guide targeted interventions. Mental health professionals (i.e., psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and psychologists) play pivotal roles in delivering comprehensive care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective This study aimed to identify different symptom profiles of complicated grief/bereavement-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and examine the associations with social life factors, posttraumatic growth, and quality of life in a sample of parents whose children died in Sewol ferry accident.Methods A total of 272 bereaved parents affected by the Sewol ferry accident participated and completed self-report scales about traumatic loss-related symptoms. The latent profile analysis (LPA) of complicated grief and posttraumatic symptoms was classified. To examine the predictors (interpersonal stress/familial conflict/social support) and outcomes (posttraumatic growth/quality of life) of the traumatic loss symptom profiles, an automatic three-step approach was chosen.Results The LPA identified three symptom profiles of complicated grief and posttraumatic stress: low symptomatology group (30.4%), moderate symptomatology group (49.6%), and high symptomatology group (20.0%). Higher perceived interpersonal stress significantly increased the odds of moderate and high symptomatology, while higher family stress was a significant predictor for high symptomatology compared to both low and moderate symptomatology groups. In addition, higher perceived social support significantly decreased the odds of being in both moderate and high symptomatology groups compared to the low group. The low symptomatology group showed the highest quality of life, followed by the moderate and high groups. Posttraumatic growth was also significantly different between the classes, with the moderate symptomatology group reporting higher growth than the low symptomatology group.Conclusion Our findings suggest that managing the mental health of people who have experienced a traumatic loss will be a critical component of their quality of life in the future. In addition, interventions to help reduce family conflict and interpersonal stress may be necessary to reduce difficulties associated with psychopathology.

ABSTRACT The ongoing war in Ukraine has affected the mental and physical health of university students, elevating psychological support needs. This longitudinal study examined relationships between support needs, trauma-related symptoms, somatic complaints, and personal psychological resources among 439 Ukrainian students assessed one year apart. Participants completed validated measures of PTSD symptoms, physical complaints (GBB-24), resilience, general self-efficacy, and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Students with more severe PTSD symptoms and overall somatic complaints reported significantly higher psychological support needs. In multiple regression, resilience and self-efficacy did not add unique variance; moderation analyses indicated no buffering (interactions were small and in the opposite direction). PTG was not associated with support needs. A change-score model showed that within-person increases in PTSD symptoms and somatic complaints over one year predicted higher support needs at Time 2. Findings emphasize integrated, context-sensitive student mental-health strategies that address symptom burden alongside coping capacity; future research should incorporate multi-wave designs and broader psychosocial factors to clarify mechanisms under chronic threat.

Summary: The arts offer opportunities to express grief, share experiences, and rebuild cultural identity, particularly when these are disrupted by natural disasters or crises. The participatory nature of the arts fosters collective problem solving and strengthens social cohesion, which can support community preparedness and resilience. Moreover, the arts can promote awareness of disaster risks and preparedness strategies through engaging and culturally relevant mediums. Creative arts therapies offer evidence-informed interventions that support emotional recovery, post-traumatic growth, and psychological resilience. They have been integrated into emergency response frameworks to address mental health and psychosocial support for communities. The sensory and embodied nature of the arts can reduce stress, mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and enhance coping mechanisms, enabling individuals to process traumatic experiences in ways that verbal communication alone may not. One program integrating the arts and creative arts therapies into disaster recovery efforts is Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, which has begun to translate its work with military-connected trauma to support for veterans and communities impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies. Following a literature review, needs assessments, and field scans, Creative Forces sent a creative arts therapist to work with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Hawaii Medical Response and Recovery Team after the Maui Wildfires. This work set the foundation for a multi-year pilot project that is exploring how the arts and creative arts therapies can integrate with emergency response teams and local communities in disaster efforts. Integrating arts-based approaches into disaster management practice policy can enhance the effectiveness of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Future efforts should include building trusted networks and resource hubs between community arts organizations, cultural leaders, and emergency response sectors to support integrating arts-based services into disaster efforts.

This study aimed to test whether the Meaning-Making intervention (MMi) increases the sense of meaning in life in people newly diagnosed with any type of advanced cancer. We conducted a 3-arm parallel randomized controlled trial with 239 patients newly diagnosed (< 6months) with advanced cancer (stages III or IV), assigned to either an experimental group (n=80), an attention-control group (n=80), or a usual care control group (n=79). Meaning in life (primary outcome), anxiety and depression, quality of life, existential wellbeing, and posttraumatic growth were measured at 2months post randomization with follow-up at 4 and 6months. There were no significant (p<0.05) inter-group differences in FACIT-Sp-12 Meaning subscale scores 2months post-randomization in independent two-sample t-tests (experimental group vs. usual care p=0.65; experimental group vs. attention control p=0.94), nor at 2, 4, and 6months post-randomization using a mixed effect linear regression model and adjusting for baseline characteristics and random effect of time (p=0.55-0.99). In exploratory analyses, stage III experimental group participants seemed to present higher post-traumatic growth on the PTGI 2months post-randomization than patients in the AC (p=0.02), but this was not significant when applying a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, the MMi did not produce improvements on the primary or secondary outcomes compared with AC or UC. There may be some indications of a signal for benefit for patients with stage III cancer, which warrant follow-up but cannot be considered definitive. Future work should prioritize targeting, dose, timing, and contextual moderators to clarify when, and for whom, meaning-focused approaches are most effective.

Climate distress is a psychological reaction to adverse weather events and climate change. These events can increase people's vulnerability to develop psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD particularly in disaster-prone regions like India. To explore the relationship between climate distress and psychological impact with a particular emphasis on women, elderly, and other at risk populations who owing to their health vulnerabilities, lack of resources or social roles that make them dependent on others, experience stress in the face of climate change. We synthesized findings from 75 studies involving 8,895,217 individuals, to understand the psychological impact of events like floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and air pollution. All related studies conducted in India from inception of the web search engines to December 9, 2024 were included in this study. This systematic review was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were identified from CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE and data was extracted using a custom extraction form. We report a high prevalence of mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression after extreme weather events like floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and air pollution. Subclinical conditions like sleep disturbances, stress, cognitive decline, and fear; along with, positive mental health outcomes like resilience, pro-environmental behavior, appreciation for life, and post traumatic growth post such events were commonly reported. Female gender, older age, financial instability, low education levels, and disaster exposure were the major risk factors. Social support, high education, and high socioeconomic status were the protective factors. Findings imply the need for having practical strategies for community-based resilience for the at risk population, starting at policy planning levels to address climate-related psychological distress. Our review highlights the need for further research to define and measure climate distress and psychological impact in the context of climate-induced heat, particularly in underrepresented regions.

This study examined the sequential mediating effects of intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination, and self-compassion on the relationship between self-disclosure and posttraumatic growth among 455 adults who reported subjectively perceived traumatic experiences. Correlation analyses and sequential mediation analyses using PROCESS Macro Model 6 were conducted. The results showed that self-disclosure was positively associated with deliberate rumination, self-compassion, and posttraumatic growth, whereas intrusive rumination was negatively associated with self-compassion. Deliberate rumination and self-compassion sequentially mediated the relationship between self-disclosure and posttraumatic growth, whereas the mediating pathway involving intrusive rumination was not significant. These findings suggest that posttraumatic growth is associated with self-disclosure, deliberate rumination, and self-compassion.

This study examined the association between prosocial behavior and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese caregivers of seriously ill patients, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and deliberate rumination. A total of 232 caregivers (79 males, 153 females) completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Social Support Rating Scale, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Regression and mediation analyses showed that prosocial behavior was positively related to PTG. Both social support and deliberate rumination significantly mediated this relationship in parallel. These findings indicate that prosocial behavior has a positive effect on PTG among caregivers of seriously ill patients. This direct effect, as well as the mediating roles of social support and deliberate rumination, highlights both social-contextual and cognitive pathways underlying PTG among caregivers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationships among the concepts of self-transcendence, gero-transcendence, and post-traumatic growth using data from 441 Korean adults in late adulthood. In addition, this study examined the effects of influential variables (age, education level, religion, subjective health, and loss experiences) on these concepts using empirical data. For these purposes, descriptive statistics, correlations, and hierarchical regressions were analyzed with SPSS 29.0. The main results were as follows: First, self-transcendence, gero-transcendence, and post-traumatic growth were significantly related to each other. Second, individuals in late adulthood who reported higher subjective health and greater relational loss experience also reported higher self-transcendence. In addition, gero-transcendence increased with age, educational level, religion, and relational loss. Next, post-traumatic growth increased with educational level, religion, relational, and health loss experiences. These results were discussed in terms of adult education and counseling programs.

ABSTRACT Purpose This meta-ethnographic review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence on posttraumatic growth (PTG) among adult survivors of sexual violence, with particular attention to the coexistence of positive change, posttraumatic depreciation (PTD), and potential illusory growth. The review aimed to develop an interpretive framework that captures how survivors understood, narrated, and negotiated growth amid profound psychological, relational, and cultural challenges. Materials and Methods A systematic search of qualitative studies exploring PTG following sexual violence was conducted across major databases. Eligible studies were analyzed using Noblit and Hare’s seven-step meta-ethnographic approach. First-order (participant quotes) and second-order (author interpretations) data were translated across studies to develop higher-order conceptual themes. Results Six overarching themes were identified: (1) Meaning Making and Sense Making, reflecting survivors’ efforts to reconstruct coherence; (2) Relational Reorientation, capturing shifts in trust, boundaries, and intimacy; (3) Identity & Emotional Transformation, highlighting changes in self-perception and emotional regulation; (4) Spiritual Growth, showing spirituality as both a resource and a site of ambivalence; (5) Coping & Resilience, illustrating behavioral and cognitive strategies that facilitated adaptation; and (6) Barriers/Trauma Burden, representing the enduring effects of shame, stigma, and psychological distress. Discussion Survivors’ narratives revealed a dynamic interplay among genuine growth, lingering distress, and illusory growth shaped by coping demands. PTG in sexual violence survivors emerged as a complex, culturally embedded process involving both transformative change and persistent burdens. Understanding these nuances can inform trauma-informed, strength-based support that honors survivors’ lived realities. Conclusion Implications for practice, policy, and future directions are discussed.

Background. The contemporary scientific paradigm in medical psychology and psychotraumatology is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by the need to reconsider traditional pathocentric approaches to the mental health of veterans. The unique context of the full-scale war in Ukraine reveals the limitations of an exclusive focus on the diagnosis of deficit-based conditions, as such an approach overlooks the substantial adaptive potential of the individual and their capacity for recovery through the activation of internal and external resources. The Ukrainian experience introduces qualitatively new dimensions into global scientific understanding of resilience, which is shaped under conditions of ongoing traumatization and persistent collective threats. Within this context, resilience is transformed from the capacity to «return to baseline» into a strategy of proactive adaptation, in which value-meaning structures, national identity, and the stability of the family system play a pivotal role. A systemic examination of resilience resources at the personal, cognitive, and social levels is therefore critical for the transition toward a resource-centric rehabilitation model. Purpose – is to provide a theoretical justification and systematization of a multifactorial model of psychological resilience resources in veterans and their family members, as well as to analyze the interaction of personal, cognitive, and socio-familial factors that enable post-traumatic growth and successful reintegration under conditions of extreme stress. Materials and Methods. This study is based on a systematic review of scientific literature published between 2020 and 2025 addressing the psychological resilience of veterans and their family members. The literature search was conducted using leading scientometric databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar) with search queries covering the following domains: target populations (veterans and their families), resilience resources, cognitive-psychological mechanisms, and the Ukrainian wartime context. Peer-reviewed empirical and theoretical studies examining the activation and utilization of psychological resources across diverse stress-related conditions were selected for analysis. Data synthesis was performed using content analysis and methods of theoretical generalization, with resilience resources classified into individual–psychological, cognitive, and socio-familial levels. This approach enabled the systematic organization of current research, the identification of existing gaps in the literature, and the formulation of practical recommendations for the psychological support of veterans and their families. Results. The systematization of empirical and theoretical data makes it possible to identify personality-related psychological resources as a fundamental internal protective framework for veterans. Longitudinal monitoring demonstrates that a sense of purpose in life constitutes a critical resource that is directly associated with a reduced risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and facilitates the integration of traumatic experiences without compromising personal integrity. In parallel, gratitude is conceptualized as a powerful cognitive–emotional asset that elevates the threshold of psychological resilience and functions as a mediator attenuating the relationship between the intensity of combat exposure and subsequent psychopathological outcomes. A key component of this resource structure is emotional self-regulation which, through mechanisms of cognitive reappraisal of affect, enables veterans to transform experienced stress into a factor of personal strengthening and psychological hardening. Special attention is devoted to cognitive resources, where the concept of cognitive resilience emerges as a core mechanism of self-regulation. Evidence indicates that efficient prefrontal cortex functioning and high levels of executive functions (working memory, attentional control, and inhibitory control) form a «cognitive reserve» that supports social adaptation and acts as a buffer against depressive symptomatology. Cognitive flexibility is identified as a central reintegration tool, allowing individuals to rapidly shift from combat-related mental schemas to adaptive civilian strategies, thereby converting destructive memories into a resource for post-traumatic growth through mechanisms of positive reframing. The final level of the resource-based model is represented by the socio-familial ecosystem. Veteran resilience is not an isolated individual trait but is continuously sustained through interactions with the social environment, where the family serves as a critical external resource for absorbing the consequences of trauma. Findings from studies of the FOCUS program confirm that veteran resilience is directly dependent on the family systemʼs capacity for adaptation and joint acquisition of emotional regulation skills. The construction of a «shared meaning» of the lived experience and open communication, combined with societal recognition, significantly reduce feelings of alienation and accelerate social reintegration. Conclusions. Overall, the current state of scientific evidence substantiates the necessity of implementing resource-centric models in which resilience is understood as the capacity to maintain functioning and achieve growth despite experienced suffering. The most effective support strategy lies in the synergy of strengthening individual psychological assets, restoring neurocognitive functions, and stabilizing the family ecosystem.

Although much research focuses on the negative effects of trauma, it is vital to explore why some individuals thrive despite adversity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Kosovo, a postconflict society in southeastern Europe, has received relatively little attention in trauma and resilience research. In this study, we examined potential benefits of 13 strengths: regulatory (coping, positive emotion regulation, humor), interpersonal (social support and social leisure), meaning-making (purpose, hope, collective hope, and moral meaning-making), and environmental (eco-connections and built environment). Five of these are newly developed scales, and two more are being used in Kosovo for the first time, including both measures for the new domain of environmental strengths. This is also the first quantitative study of institutional betrayal in Kosovo. Our study surveyed 500 young adults (75% women). In addition to the data on strengths, participants reported on experiences of victimization and institutional betrayal, subjective well-being, posttraumatic growth, and trauma symptoms. Most (86.6%) participants experienced some form of adversity, including institutional betrayal. Blockwise logistic regressions demonstrated that higher levels of personal hope, moral meaning-making, positive emotion regulation, mindfulness, social leisure, social support received, eco-connections, and poly-strengths significantly predicted at least one outcome of posttraumatic growth, subjective well-being, and trauma symptoms. Some measures were also significant in the unexpected direction, indicating that not all strengths help people overcome trauma. These findings add global support for multidimensional approaches to resilience and suggest new measures for assessment of strengths. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Dispositional mindfulness is one psychological resource that consistently promotes posttraumatic growth (PTG) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the precise mechanisms through which mindfulness performs this function are not clear. The current study aimed to examine the mediating role of distress tolerance and cognitive fusion in the relationship between mindfulness, PTG and HRQoL among HIV patients. Using a cross-sectional design, 491 HIV patients (M age = 31.41; SD = 10.37; gender = 211 (47%) males; and 280 (53%)) females were randomly selected from a tertiary healthcare institution. Participants completed relevant measures. The results showed that mindfulness was positively associated with PTG (B = 0.57, p < .001), and HRQoL (β = 0.79, p < .001). Additionally, mindfulness indirectly promoted PTG (95%CI = 0.08, 0.20), and HRQoL (95%CI = 0.05, 0.13) through the mechanism of increased distress tolerance abilities. Furthermore, mindfulness indirectly improved PTG (95%CI = 0.02, 0.07); and HRQoL (95%CI = 0.02, 0.08) through the pathway of reduced cognitive fusion tendencies. These findings highlight the potential benefit of mindfulness in enhancing quality of life and growth in people living with HIV (PLWH) by improving distress tolerance abilities and reducing cognitive fusion tendency. Therefore, psychological interventions aimed at improving positive psychological outcomes in HIV patients may focus on enhancing mindfulness.