Does perceived post-traumatic growth predict better psychological adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic? Results from a national longitudinal survey in the USA

Abstract

Perceiving that one has grown in positive ways following highly stressful experiences (perceived posttraumatic growth; PPTG) is common and sometimes--but not always--related to psychological wellbeing. However, PPTG is typically studied cross-sectionally and well after the stressful experience has passed; how PPTG might relate to wellbeing over time in an unprecedented, ongoing worldwide disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic remains unknown. Thus, the current study sought to answer whether, in the midst of the pandemic, PPTG relates to subsequent wellbeing, broadly defined. Participants were N = 1544 MTurk workers who completed a five-wave (T1-T5) six-month longitudinal study. Current analyses focused on T2-T5 ( n s = 860–712). At each time point, participants completed self-report measures of PPTG and wellbeing (depression, anxiety, stress, positive states of mind, alcohol use, posttraumatic stress). In cross-lagged panel models, PPTG was largely unrelated to subsequent wellbeing. Somewhat more evidence was found that increasing distress led to increases in PPTG, suggesting perceptions of growth may serve as a coping mechanism. PPTG does not appear to benefit adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic and may simply reflect efforts to manage distress.

Recovering from COVID-19: psychological sequelae and post-traumatic growth six months after discharge

“…Literature points out the significant association between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. Growth is associated with the presence rather than the absence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (Dekel, Ein-Dor, & Solomon, 2012 ; Park, Wilt, Russell, & Fendrich, 2022 ). Indeed, the distress may progressively trigger accommodation of the event into the patient’s perspective and result in post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004 ).…”

“…Indeed, the distress may progressively trigger accommodation of the event into the patient’s perspective and result in post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004 ). Park et al ( 2022 ) pointed out that awareness and perceptions of growth can aid individuals in the adaptation process, thus acting as an effective coping mechanism. Future studies could further investigate the role of post-traumatic growth and explore whether longer psychological support could prevent psychological sequelae in COVID-19 inpatients, even in the long term.…”

Factors Predicting Post-Traumatic Positive and Negative Psychological Changes Experienced by Nurses during a Pandemic COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…On the basis of the obtained research results, it can be hypothesized that too high an intensity of traumatic stress causes a negative perception of the consequences of a pandemic. Chen et al [ 50 ] obtained similar results amongst nurses, while Park et al [ 51 ] confirmed this relationship among Amazon MTurk employees. Thus, PTG is associated with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and can be treated as a coping mechanism in the face of persistent suffering from trauma [ 52 ].…”

Post-traumatic stress disorder and Post-traumatic Growth among Police officials; Role of Coping Self Efficacy and Hope

“…Studies on the personal strength factors suggest that veterans with strong coping self-efficacy and hope suffer less from PTSD. 19,20,21 War against terror was not a traditional war. The active-duty officials of police who had participated in this war and had direct and repeated exposure of trauma showed high levels of PTG and scored high in personal strength factors like hope and coping selfefficacy, results are persistent with previous research.…”