PTSD and PTG among Israeli mothers: Opposite facets of exposure to terrorism

Abstract

The aim of the this study was to test the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and coping strategies among Israeli mothers with prolonged exposure to rocket missiles. One hundred fifty-two mothers, from the Western Negev region of Israel, took part in the study. Respondents were affected by prolonged exposure to missile attacks even when they themselves had not been hit or injured. A positive correlation was found between PTSD and PTG. Problem-focused coping was found to mediate the relationship between PTSD and PTG; the higher the PTSD, the greater the use of problem-focused coping and the greater the posttraumatic growth. The results help understand the association between PTSD and PTG. The finding whereby problem-focused coping mediates the PTSD-PTG relationship is important for comprehending the association between the variables and the significance of growth in human life and for constructing intervention programs that promote growth following trauma. In addition, the study contributes to raising awareness both of how mothers cope and that they are a separate risk group with distinct growth possibilities.

Spousal Coping Strategies in the Shadow of Terrorism

“…We also found additional corroboration of the assumption that sense of fear depends on subjective inner feelings—not only actual exposure to threatening incidents (Silver, Holman, McIntosh, Poulin, & Gil-Rivas, 2002; Solomon & Lavi, 2005). This finding is also confirmed in mothers from Sderot and the Gaza envelope (Shechory-Bitton, 2013; Shechory-Bitton & Laufer, 2017), a residential area that has been exposed to missiles for years…”

“…Based on Solomon and Lavi’s (2005) Exposure to War and Terror Questionnaire (see also Shechory-Bitton, 2013; Shechory-Bitton & Laufer, 2017), 16 items on different types of trauma-related incidents were used to assess objective exposure to terror and security incidents (all the items are listed in Table 1). Objective exposure was scored as the total number of terror incidents to which the respondent had been exposed; scores ranged from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater exposure.…”

“…Many studies have used this inventory, including in Israel (e.g., Cohen, Zerach, & Solomon, 2011; Shechory-Bitton & Laufer, 2017). In the current study, the questionnaire had high internal consistency for total and subscale scores (Cronbach’s α = .83-.86).…”

Relationships among hope, meaning in life, and post‐traumatic growth in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross‐sectional study

“…Furthermore, it has been confirmed that high levels of distress are the precondition of the PTG (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). Researchers also concluded that post‐traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) is positively connected with PTG (Shechory Bitton & Laufer, 2017). In a word, patients with COPD are the ideal research objects of PTG given their frequent exposure to the exacerbation, high incidence rate, risk of negative emotions, and potential for positive changes.…”

The moderating effect of exposure to robbery on the relationship between post-traumatic stress and job satisfaction

“…PTG manifests in the acquisition of important valued resources, including greater appreciation of life, increased sense of personal strength, identification of new possibilities, positive spiritual change and improved interpersonal relationships, all of which are conducive to a more adaptive psychological functioning 10 ) . Although the relationship between PTSS and PTG remains unclear 26 ) , positive psychological changes following a trauma have been identified among a broad range of victims 27 , 28 , 29 ) . Thus, taken together, COR theory 16 , 17 ) and the post-traumatic stress literature suggest that: a) employees affected by PTSS might experience PTG; and b) such a positive transformation is contingent upon the possibility for the victims to reinvest their available energetic resources towards a cognitive reappraisal of the meaning attributed to the traumatic event.…”