The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life in the Effects of Calling on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Growth: A Longitudinal Study of Navy Soldiers Deployed to the Gulf of Aden

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of meaning in life in the effect of calling on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among navy soldiers of the Republic of Korea deployed to the Gulf of Aden, Somalia. Participants responded to the questionnaire survey three times (pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment) at 4-month intervals. From the first, second, and third surveys, data were collected for 223, 195, and 103 respondents, respectively. Results showed that calling had a negative effect on PTSD, fully mediated by meaning in life, whereas calling had a positive effect on PTG, partially mediated by meaning in life. Our findings suggest that calling acts as a positive psychological resource for maintaining the meaning in life throughout stressful events experienced during deployment, thereby reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms and promoting post-deployment psychological growth. Finally, theoretical and practical implications and the need for follow-up studies are discussed.

Meaning in life, meaning-making and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Despite the fact that experiencing an adverse situation can be unsettling, and meaning can get called into question, it is the struggle to find meaning in cancer and to adjust to it that can promote personal change, in a variety of domains. Other studies have been able to find the same correlations across a variety of contexts and samples, such as survivors of natural disasters (e.g., Boullion et al, 2020;Weber et al, 2020;Dursun et al, 2022) or witnesses of extremely violent events (e.g., Aliche et al, 2019;Seol et al, 2021). In addition to cancer patients, the research on the relationship between MiL and PTG has also focused on similar experiences, like individuals with chronic illness (e.g., Zeligman et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2021).…”

Decent Work, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Posttraumatic Growth From the Psychology of Working Perspective: A Three-Wave Study of Military Personnel

“…An empirical study on deployed Korean military troops by Seol et al (2021) showed that a work orientation to contribute to society and the public good could alleviate PTSD while promoting PTG by facilitating a positive meaning-making process in addressing the traumatic event.…”

“…For example, 46 Navy sailors died in the Cheonan sinking (2010), which was attacked by the enemy using a torpedo, and survivors suffered from PTSD symptoms, such as re-experiences of the attack, avoidance of ship boarding, and emotional hyper-arousal (Jang & Lee, 2013). As ROK Navy personnel likely have traumatic experiences in life-threatening working conditions and because of the unique national security circumstance in divided countries, it is essential to understand the psychological mechanism within working conditions that affect trauma-related mental health (Seol et al, 2021).…”

Self-Disclosure and Post-traumatic Growth in Korean Adults: A Multiple Mediating Model of Deliberate Rumination, Positive Social Responses, and Meaning of Life

“… Triplett et al’s (2012) study suggested a model in which deliberate rumination leads to PTG, and PTG leads to discovering the meaning of life, thereby creating an experience of subjective well-being. However, it is logically more reasonable that people mature because have discovered the meaning of life after experiencing trauma, and some studies ( Fischer et al, 2020 ; Seol et al, 2021 ). Seol et al (2021) have suggested that finding the meaning of life might be a cause of PTG.…”

“…However, it is logically more reasonable that people mature because have discovered the meaning of life after experiencing trauma, and some studies ( Fischer et al, 2020 ; Seol et al, 2021 ). Seol et al (2021) have suggested that finding the meaning of life might be a cause of PTG. In their longitudinal study, meaning of life mediated the association between the effects of post-traumatic stress symptoms and PTG among navy soldiers deployed to the Gulf of Aden, Somalia.…”