Perceived posttraumatic growth and its psychosocial predictors during two consecutive COVID-19 lockdowns.

Abstract

This study seeks to expand previous research by examining (a) the prevalence rates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and its potential predictors (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], perceived stress, adaptive coping strategies, social support) during the first and second lockdown in the general population of Greece, and (b) the mediating role of the stress indicators (PTSS/perceived stress) in the relationship between positive reframing and PTG. A sample of 1,361 participants (1.009 in the first lockdown and 352 in the second lockdown) completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory and the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI). Moderate levels of PTG were found during both lockdowns. PTG did not significantly increase during the second lockdown. PTG was associated with PTSS during the first lockdown and with perceived stress during the second one; these two stress indicators partially mediated the positive reframing—PTG relationship in the first and second lockdown, respectively. Both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the first lockdown, whereas only adaptive coping strategies predicted PTG during the second lockdown. Perceived social support, emotional during the first lockdown and instrumental during the second one, predicted PTG during the two lockdowns, respectively. The results of this study may enhance our understanding of PTG and its predictor to inform the design of interventions moving beyond growth cognitions into growth actions.

Gain from pain: Exploring vicarious posttraumatic growth and its facilitators among health care workers across two consecutive lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“…This is in line with a previous study (A. Kalaitzaki, Tamiolaki, & Tsouvelas, 2022; A. Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, & Tamiolaki, 2022) that found denial to predict two subscales of PTGI (personal strength and appreciation of life).…”

“…Kalaitzaki, Tamiolaki, & Tsouvelas, 2022; Ogińska-Bulik & Zadworna-Cieślak, 2018) have shown both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies to predict VPTG, in this study, only adaptive coping strategies positively predicted VPTG. This finding is in line with a study in the general population in Greece (A. Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, & Tamiolaki, 2022) during the same two time points; it seems that during the second lockdown, the stressor is perceived as less uncontrollable and/or HCWs have been adjusted to the “lockdown experience” (Main et al, 2011).…”

“…The hypothesis that resilience would be a predictor of VPTG was not confirmed; it was not a predictor of PTG in the Greek population-based study (A. Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, & Tamiolaki, 2022).…”

“…Stress and rumination have been found to promote growth (A. Kalaitzaki, Tamiolaki, & Tsouvelas, 2022; A. Kalaitzaki, Tsouvelas, & Tamiolaki, 2022).…”

Perceived Crisis Management and Post-Traumatic Growth among Chinese Preschool Teachers during COVID-19: Risk Perception as a Moderator

“…Finally, this study only investigated the impact of crisis management and risk perceptions on post-traumatic growth, and other contributing factors were not explored. A further study is needed to track changes in post-traumatic growth among preschool teachers in the context of COVID-19 [ 63 ]. We also need to revise and improve the risk perception scale used in this study to increase adaptability in China.…”