Post-traumatic growth in adult survivors of brain injury: a qualitative study of participants completing a pilot trial of brief positive psychotherapy

Karagiorgou, Olga; Evans, Jonathan J.; Cullen, Breda

doi:10.1080/09638288.2016.1274337

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Consistent with previous studies on other traumatic stress events, such as infectious diseases and natural disasters (Hefferon et al, 2009;Karagiorgou et al, 2018;Mehrabi et al, 2015), after having COVID-19, participants in this study experienced positive changes in their attitudes and values toward life. They reappraised their perceptions of life and re-evaluated their priorities.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2021

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COVID-19 infection can cause psychological distress and profoundly impact patients’ lives, but it can also lead to positive changes and post-traumatic growth (PTG), or positive psychological change in response to challenging life circumstances. Current research on the influence of COVID-19 infection has mainly focused on its negative effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with COVID-19 in China experienced PTG and, if so, what changed for them during the process of PTG. We used a qualitative descriptive approach to conduct this study. Using the purposive sampling recruitment method, patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited from a COVID-19 designated hospital in Shanghai, China, from April to July 2020. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via cell phone or in person while social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Forty confirmed COVID-19 patients (19–68 years old) were recruited. Several prominent themes and subthemes were extracted from the interview responses regarding participants’ experiences of PTG. The following are among the positive changesthat occurred for these participants after their diagnosis of COVID-19: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) Improved relationships within their social circles, which included establishing or maintaining closer relationships with family and friends and a greater willingness to help others, and (3) Perceived changes regarding themselves, which included personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health. The study identified potential positive impacts of COVID-19 on patients, which could be helpful in the implementation of interventions to facilitate PTG among COVID-19 survivors.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2021

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“…The interventions were found to promote social support, selfunderstanding (ABI education), and meaning in life, all of which have been previously identified as factors correlated with PTG after ABI (Sawyer et al, 2010;Grace et al, 2015;Pais-Hrit et al, 2019). Moreover, learning new skills, re-learning old skills and being active in the community are also associated with PTG (Karagiorgou et al, 2017;Kersten et al, 2018), all of which were expressed by participants in the evaluation. PTG in ABI has also been described as involving a realisation that there is 'life after brain injury' (Lyon et al, 2020).…”

Section: Contributions To Positive Psychologymentioning

confidence: 75%

“…However, as previously noted, being in a mixed group that included serviceuser mentors was beneficial for most due to upward social comparison (Festinger, 1954), and so grouping interventions according to recovery stage would compromise those benefits. Moreover, the realisation that one cannot return to their old selves is part of an on-going process of acceptance, that is a necessary factor contributing to post traumatic growth following ABI (Karagiorgou et al, 2017). Therefore, it may be argued that whilst this process of realisation was difficult for this participant, acceptance is more beneficial for their growth in the long-term (Fleming et al, 2009).…”

Section: Barriers To Efficacy Themementioning

confidence: 96%

The Impact of Psycho-Social Interventions on the Wellbeing of Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) suffer chronic impairment across cognitive, physical and psycho-social domains, and the experience of anxiety, isolation and apathy has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative evaluation was conducted of 14 individuals with ABI who had participated in series of COVID adapted group-based intervention(s) that had been designed to improve wellbeing. Eight themes were identified: Facilitating Safety, Fostering Positive Emotion, Managing and Accepting Difficult Emotions, Promoting Meaning, Finding Purpose and Accomplishment, Facilitating Social Ties, (Re)Connecting to Nature, and Barriers to Efficacy. Findings are discussed with respects to recent theoretical developments in positive psychology and wellbeing science and support the use of online and outdoor interventions to enhance wellbeing in individuals living with ABI during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper makes a unique contribution to second wave positive psychology (PP2.0) through the application of recent advances in wellbeing science to an ABI population during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, this paper lays the foundation for new interventions that not only reduce impairment and distress, but also create opportunities for meaning and enhanced wellbeing in people living with chronic conditions and those individuals living with ABI in particular.

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“…Clients' tendency towards personal growth has, for example, been associated with improved levels of well‐being, resilience, self‐efficacy, self‐compassion, life satisfaction, self‐esteem, and reduced levels of negative affect, stress, perceived stigma, anxiety, and depression (e.g., Robitschek et al, 2019). Psychotherapy researchers have also highlighted the potential usefulness of personal growth in working with people who have experienced stressful and traumatic events (Karagiorgou, Evans, & Cullen, 2018), or who want to develop the skills needed to have a productive and fulfilling life. Active and intentional engagement in the process of personal growth has shown to increase across the therapeutic process and has a positive effect on later distress, even when earlier levels of distress are taken into account (Weigold et al, 2018).…”

Section: Definition and Application Of Personal Growth In Psychotherapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychotherapy for personal growth? A multicultural and multitheoretical exploration

et al. 2020

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Objective: This paper reports on a focus-group discussion of four expert psychotherapy researchers facilitated at an international conference from the Society of Psychotherapy Research. A discussion was facilitated to explore their perspectives on psychotherapy practices of personal growth (intentionally working towards a strengthened sense of autonomy, mastery, and self-acceptance) in different countries (United States, Canada, Argentina, and Chile) and different modalities (psychoanalysis, humanistic therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy). Methods: Following the conference, the audio recording of this discussion was transcribed and analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods. Results. Six domains were identified; definition of personal growth, mental health care systems, psychotherapy practice, psychotherapy research, client and therapist characteristics, and social stigma. Results: Six domains were identified; definition of personal growth, mental health care systems, psychotherapy practice, psychotherapy research, client and therapist characteristics, and social stigma.Conclusion: Future research examining the costeffectiveness and benefits of psychotherapy for personal growth is warranted. Building on the six domains, specific future research projects on the evidence-based practice of psychotherapy for personal growth are suggested. K E Y W O R D S international, personal growth, psychotherapy, qualitative

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Post-traumatic growth in adult survivors of brain injury: a qualitative study of participants completing a pilot trial of brief positive psychotherapy

Cited by 27 publications

References 14 publications

Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study

Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study

The Impact of Psycho-Social Interventions on the Wellbeing of Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychotherapy for personal growth? A multicultural and multitheoretical exploration

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