Deliberate Rumination and Positive Reappraisal as Serial Mediators Between Life Impact and Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of State Terrorism in Chile (1973-1990)

Abstract

This study examines the role of coping strategies related to positive reappraisal versus other cognitive strategies (deliberate rumination) as mediators between life impact and posttraumatic growth in survivors of the military dictatorship in Chile between 1973 and 1990 (tortured political prisoners and family members of political prisoners executed and missing). Survey data from 251 political violence survivors were analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro for bootstrapping indirect effects (Hayes, 2013). Results indicated that positive reappraisal (or reframing) coping mediated the relationship between life impact and posttraumatic growth. A serial multiple mediation model indicates that in the life impact to growth moderation process, rumination must be followed by positive reappraisal to drive this growth. These findings suggest that positive reappraisal of the traumatic experience is essential to achieve growth reports. Implications of these more complex relations are discussed for both counseling interventions and further research.

Gratitude Moderates the Mediating Effect of Deliberate Rumination on the Relationship Between Intrusive Rumination and Post-traumatic Growth

“…It is an active cognitive process that involves reconstructing an existing schema to promote PTG. The effects of deliberate rumination on PTG have been demonstrated in the literature (Tedeschi and Calhoun, 2004, Calhoun and Tedeschi, 2006), and higher levels of deliberate rumination have been found to be associated with greater PTG (Linley and Joseph, 2004; Taku et al, 2008; Triplett et al, 2012; Zhou and Wu, 2015; Cárdenas et al, 2019). In particular, Triplett et al (2012) found that deliberate rumination mediates the relationship between intrusive rumination and PTG.…”

Differences Between Subclinical Ruminators and Reflectors in Narrating Autobiographical Memories: Innovative Moments and Autobiographical Reasoning

“…similarly Cox and McAdams, 2014;Merrill et al, 2016;Holm and Thomsen, 2018;Lilgendahl and McLean, 2020). In the same vein, another study found that victims of the Chilean dictatorship who intentionally reflected on their experience only showed post-traumatic growth if they also reframed it positively (Cárdenas Castro et al, 2019).…”

“…Also, IMs have rarely been studied outside the context of psychotherapy sessions. However, we expect IMs to be identifiable also in elicited narratives of autobiographical memories, because narratives are about events that happened out-of-the-ordinary, that breach canonical expectations (Bruner, 1990). With regard to habitual rumination versus reflection, we expect reflectors to use more IMs than ruminators, based on the idea that IMs indicate a more flexible thinking style.…”

The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Growth and Psychosocial Variables in Survivors of State Terrorism and Their Relatives

“…The life impact of the violence affects subjects’ basic beliefs about themselves, others, and the world (Janoff-Bulman, 2006). These experiences must be systematically reviewed (Taku et al, 2007; Triplett, Tedeschi, Cann, Calhoun, & Reeve, 2012) and positively reappraised (Cárdenas, Arnoso, & Faúndez, 2016) to reconstruct anew their basic beliefs.…”

“…This process would involve an effort to adapt to unfavorable circumstances by attempting to construct a new narrative about who we are, about others, and about the place where the interaction with others takes place (Cárdenas et al, 2016; Tuval-Mashiach et al, 2004). Posttraumatic growth promotes changes in three areas: (a) in the self, by improving self-image and increasing self-confidence to cope with adversities; (b) relationship with others, by strengthening relationships, allowing feelings of compassion and empathy to emerge, along with an increase in social support and helping behaviors; and (c) spirituality and life philosophy, when people reassess what is really important and transcendent after the traumatic experience (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999; Tedeschi, Park, & Calhoun, 1998).…”