Post-Traumatic Growth and Stress-Related Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a National Representative Sample: The Role of Positive Core Beliefs About the World and Others

Abstract

Given the need to understand both the negative and positive psychological consequences of the current global COVID-19 pandemic (Brewin et al.

How Communication Technology Fosters Individual and Social Wellbeing During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Support For a Digital Interaction Model

“…Previous studies have reported positive associations between openness to experience, emotional expression, and posttraumatic growth (e.g., Jaarsma et al, 2006 ). It is possible that e-motions lead to posttraumatic growth by fostering positive core beliefs (e.g., openness to the future and identification with humanity; Vasquez et al, 2021 ; Ellena et al, 2020 ) and emotional strengths (e.g. bravery, humor and social intelligence, Casali et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Several authors have argued that exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related consequences can also be considered an (individual) traumatic event with almost 20% of adults among the general population suffering posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the early stages of the current pandemic (Karatzias et al, 2020 ; Vasquez et al, 2021 ). Vasquez et al ( 2021 ) argued that posttraumatic growth, just after the onset of the pandemic crisis, could be considered an initial coping strategy that allows the development of long-term positive outcomes in personality.…”

“…Several authors have argued that exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related consequences can also be considered an (individual) traumatic event with almost 20% of adults among the general population suffering posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the early stages of the current pandemic (Karatzias et al, 2020 ; Vasquez et al, 2021 ). Vasquez et al ( 2021 ) argued that posttraumatic growth, just after the onset of the pandemic crisis, could be considered an initial coping strategy that allows the development of long-term positive outcomes in personality. Posttraumatic growth has been defined in the field of Positive Psychology as the experience of positive changes that follows highly challenging life crises (e.g., life-threatening diseases, Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004 ), which also includes the human capacity for resilience (e.g., “the ability to maintain a stable equilibrium”; Bonanno, 2004 , p. 20) and the use by individuals of aversive events as a springboard for further growth and development (Bonanno, 2004 ).…”

The influence and enlightenment of five public health emergencies on public psychology since new century: A systematic review

“…For example, after the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, large-scale social isolation allowed people to have more leisure time, family members could enjoy the warm time of reunion in the family, scientific researchers could have sufficient time to sort out research materials, and professional staff's work and social intercourse also decreased accordingly. A recent study reported that the COVID-19 epidemic could cause people to produce two cognitive model of post-traumatic symptoms (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) (Vazquez et al, 2021). PTG could enhance people's primal beliefs about the beautiful world, as well as openness to the future and identification with humanity.…”

Psychological Adjustment in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Positive and Negative Mental Health Outcomes in the General Population

“…Therefore, it seems that positive aspects of functioning and well-being should be seriously considered when analysing the effects of life-threatening events, like a pandemic, if we want to get a more precise picture of the individuals' overall psychological adjustment. There is almost no research on the positive mental health outcomes during a public health crisis or large-scale traumatic events, with the exception of studies on post-traumatic growth (García et al, 2015;Vázquez et al, 2021). Also, the experience of positive emotions during traumatic events may be relevant, as it helps to bounce back (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004) and to predict positive mental health outcomes (Díaz et al, 2018;Vázquez & Hervás, 2010) .…”