Factors associated with posttraumatic growth: gratitude, PTSD and distress; one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon

Abstract

Almost one year since the COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, mental distress remains elevated with high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet studies suggest these challenging circumstances might be conducive of post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study aims to investigate the factors associated with growth after the original trauma. A sample of 252 Lebanese adults filled an online survey to determine levels of PTG, PTSD and gratitude using validated self-rating scales. Participants also subjectively evaluated the sources of their distress such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion and/or their deteriorating financials. The PTGi-SF evaluated dimensions of growth while the IES-R_22 measured the degree of distress post-trauma. The GQ-6 was used to measure the proneness to experience gratitude daily. Results indicated 41% of participants scored above the cutoff for PTSD symptomatology. Yet, PTSD was positively correlated, alongside gratitude and accumulated subjective distress, with higher levels of PTG. A forward linear regression taking PTG scores as the dependent variable further showed that more gratitude (Beta = 0.57), a higher impact of events (Beta = 0.16), and knowing anyone who died from COVID-19 (Beta = 3.93) were significantly associated with more growth. The study highlights elevated levels of PTSD symptoms in a context of a global pandemic worsened by financial and socio-political instabilities. It mostly identifies personal factors, including high initial symptomatology post-trauma and gratitude, related to the capacity for growth in spite of these accumulating hardships. As such, it advocates the need to investigate and bolster silver linings amidst unprecedented traumas.

Shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological responses from a subjective perspective–A longitudinal mixed-methods study across five European countries

“…There is some evidence suggesting that perceptions of growth could reflect coping efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 85 ]. Although perceived growth might signalise resilience, it might also signalise greater posttraumatic stress symptoms [ 86 , 87 ], which supports the idea of high variability in individual responses to stressful events. Regarding variability in our study, a lower number of people reported individual or community growth at T2 than at T1 in Austria.…”

A longitudinal perspective of the change in personal growth in the transition to motherhood and predicting factors.

“…In addition, the results show that higher dispositional gratitude was related to higher initial personal growth, but not to the change in personal growth over time. Previous cross-sectional studies also report that gratitude is associated with higher growth (Greene & McGovern, 2017;Khoury-Malhame et al, 2023;Leppma et al, 2018). However, the earlier studies did not examine the contribution of gratitude to the change in personal growth over time.…”

“…However, it is not considered a fixed characteristic, but rather a flexible life orientation (Greene & McGovern, 2017;Jans-Beken et al, 2020). Whereas studies have found that gratitude plays a protective role in crises or traumatic events as it buffers stress and psychopathology and is associated with higher personal growth (Greene & McGovern, 2017;Khoury-Malhame et al, 2023;Leppma et al, 2018), no previous study has examined whether gratitude may predict the change in personal growth over time during the transition to motherhood.…”

Impact of long COVID-19 on posttraumatic stress disorder as modified by health literacy: an observational study in Vietnam

“…Higher education is linked to stable socioeconomic status, better coping mechanisms, improved problem-solving skills, and a more optimistic outlook, as well as a healthier lifestyle [ 65 , 66 ]. The financial and socio-political uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have been found to exacerbate PTSD symptoms [ 67 ]. Moreover, a diet rich in nutrients and regular physical activity contribute to maintaining good mental health and managing mental disorders [ 68 ].…”