Trauma severity and control beliefs as predictors of posttraumatic growth among adolescent survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake.

Abstract

This study examined the relationships of trauma exposure and control beliefs with posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of adolescent survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake (Time 1 n = 788, Time 2 n = 243). Results suggested that two aspects of exposure severity (indirect exposure and worry about others) had significantly positive associations with concurrently measured PTG, but only indirect exposure was significantly correlated with changes in PTG from Time 1 to Time 2. Primary and secondary control beliefs were also found to be significantly correlated with concurrently measured PTG, but only secondary control beliefs were significantly associated with changes in PTG. In addition, primary control beliefs moderated the association between worry about others and concurrently measured PTG as well as changes in PTG. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for psychological service providers to adolescents who have had traumatic experiences.

Moderating role of social support in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and antisocial behavior in adolescents after the Ya'an earthquake

“…The Trauma Exposure Questionnaire (Wu, Zhang, Lin, & Zang, ) is an 18‐item self‐report measure used to rate the trauma exposure experienced in the earthquake. One example is “The earthquake injured your relatives or friends.” According to previous research among Chinese adolescents, this scale has exhibited a good internal consistency (Wu et al, ; Ying et al, ). Each of the items is rated on a 3‐point scale of 3 ( saw it myself ), 2 ( heard about it from others ), and 1 ( did not experience any situations above ).…”

The relationship between rumination, posttraumatic stress disorder, and posttraumatic growth among Chinese adolescents after earthquake: A longitudinal study

“…Nevertheless, some positive outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG), have also been reported (Jin et al, 2014;Ying et al, 2014). PTG refers to positive changes, such as the feeling of strength and wisdom, placing increased value on friends and family, and finding a fresh appreciation for each new day, which results from experiencing a traumatic event Calhoun, 1995, 1996).…”

“…PTSD symptom levels were assessed at 18 months after earthquake by using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (Foa et al, 2001) as applied to the Chinese population (Ying et al, 2014). This measure is a 17-item self-report scale that was designed to assess the occurrence and frequency of PTSD symptoms according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders in relation to the most distressing event experienced by an individual.…”

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and control beliefs as the predictors of academic burnout amongst adolescents following the Wenchuan Earthquake

“…In this situation, people may resort to secondary control beliefs, which can contribute to adaptive outcomes by reducing emotional distress or facilitating disengagement from unattainable goals (Heckhausen et al, 2010). It has also been suggested that secondary control beliefs are related to less depression, less loneliness (Barlow et al, 2015; Compas et al, 2006), and more positive moods (Ying et al, 2014), which protects people from burnout. Thus, it is more likely that control beliefs can relieve burnout.…”

“…Because control beliefs are an important personal characteristic or resource (Hobfoll, Johnson, Ennis, & Jackson, 2003), and PTSD itself indicates serious stress, we proposed in our study that control beliefs may buffer the relation between PTSD symptom severity and burnout. For example, compared to individuals with low primary control beliefs, individuals with high primary control beliefs may try to take an active approach toward change or the management of a stressful event (Ying et al, 2014), which in turn helps traumatized individuals change their focus from the negative aspects of trauma to positive ones (Nes & Segerstrom, 2006). Individuals with PTSD may also engage in positive behaviours, and thus the exacerbating role of PTSD in other negative consequences (e.g.…”