Post-traumatic growth and its relationship to quality of life up to 9 years after liver transplantation: a cross-sectional study in Spain

Abstract

ObjectiveLittle is known concerning post-traumatic growth (PTG) after liver transplantation. Against this backdrop the current study analysed the relationship between PTG and time since transplantation on quality of life. Furthermore, it compared PTG between liver transplant recipients and their caregivers.DesignCross-sectional case–control study.SettingUniversity Hospital in Spain.Participants240 adult liver transplant recipients who had undergone only one transplantation, with no severe mental disease, were the participants of the study. Specific additional analyses were conducted on the subset of 216 participants for whom caregiver data were available. Moreover, results were compared with a previously recruited general population sample.Outcome measuresAll participants completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and recipients also filled in the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical parameters were also assessed.ResultsIn the sample of 240 recipients, longer time since transplantation (>9 years) was associated with more pain symptoms (p=0.026). Regardless of duration, recipients showed lower scores on most quality of life dimensions than the general population. However, high PTG was associated with a significantly higher score on the vitality quality of life dimension (p=0.021). In recipients with high PTG, specific quality of life dimensions, such as bodily pain (p=0.307), vitality (p=0.890) and mental health (p=0.353), even equalled scores in the general population, whereas scores on general health surpassed them (p=0.006). Furthermore, liver transplant recipients (n=216) compared with their caregivers showed higher total PTG (p<0.001) and higher scores on the subscales relating to others (p<0.001), new possibilities (p<0.001) and appreciation of life (p<0.001).ConclusionsOur findings highlight the protective role of PTG in the long-term outcome of liver transplant recipients. Future studies should analyse and develop psychosocial interventions to strengthen PTG in transplant recipients and their caregivers.

Relationship Between Self-Perceived Health, Vitality, and Posttraumatic Growth in Liver Transplant Recipients

“…Of the recipients, 61.7, 22.5, and 15.8% had a low (did not complete high school), intermediate (high school education), and higher formal education (A level), respectively. For further details, see Pérez-San-Gregorio et al (2017a).…”

Post-traumatic growth in mental health recovery: qualitative study of narratives

“…Post-traumatic growth has relevance to healthcare, for example, liver transplantation13 and stroke 14. There are several reasons why post-traumatic growth may also be relevant to psychosis and other severe mental health problems 15.…”

A Longitudinal Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth and Quality of Life in Liver Transplant Recipients

“…To the best of our knowledge, there is only one previous cross-sectional study dealing with the association of PTG with QOL in liver transplant patients. 16 Researchers in the field of PTG have highlighted the importance of longitudinally studying the PTG process to verify the quality of the process (ie, psychological thriving vs developing a self-guarding identity). In an interesting review, 17 noted that PTG and adjustment could be explained by the assumption that the adaptive value of PTG shows its effects in the long run and can only be discovered over a long period of time.…”