Testing theoretical predictors of posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Abstract

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the new theoretical model of PTG, alongside a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to the ongoing distress that is often experienced by trauma survivors. The study examined the direct pathway to PTG and PTSS through previously identified predictors including core belief disruption, event centrality, and rumination, with the addition of self-disclosure as a predictor variable. Method: Participants (N = 231) who had experienced a traumatic event were recruited through online forums and completed an anonymous survey. Factor analysis revealed 2 distinct types of disclosure: helpful and unhelpful. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regressions. Results: The findings supported a combination of event centrality, core-belief disruption, deliberate rumination, and helpful disclosure significantly predicting PTG, with event centrality and unhelpful disclosure being significant predictors of PTSS. Conclusions: The current findings provide support for the direct pathway described in the model of PTG, and that PTSS and PTG share some similar predictors, as well as distinct differences. These findings have the potential to assist clinicians and researchers in recognizing factors that are likely promote the development of PTG. Clinical Impact StatementThis study includes clinically relevant findings in relation to the important role that predictor variables listed in the most recent theoretical model of PTG play in both PTG and PTSS. Further, it investigates a person's subjective experience of self-disclosure and whether this experience led to positive or negative posttrauma outcomes. Findings are applicable to all practitioners working with clients who have experienced trauma and suggest that solely focusing on symptom reduction may not be optimal in promoting positive posttrauma outcomes.

Prioritizing Positivity, Styles of Rumination, Coping Strategies, and Posttraumatic Growth: Examining Their Patterns and Correlations in a Prospective Study

“…The results of the correlation analysis presented in Table 3 show that intrusive ruminations, both during the weeks immediately after the difficult event and recently, were negatively associated with life satisfaction, which is consistent with the results of previous studies (Triplett et al, 2012; Morgan et al, 2017). Deliberate ruminations, as in previous studies (Cann et al, 2011;Triplett et al, 2012;David et al, 2021;Taku et al, 2021), were positively associated with posttraumatic growth (overall result) and with posttraumatic growth experienced in the following areas: new possibilities, appreciation of life, and spiritual and existential changes.…”

The relationship between disclosure, social reactions, rumination and posttraumatic growth following miscarriage.

“…Previous research provided support for applicability of this theory to women who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth as core belief challenge was a strong predictor of PTG and the relationship between core belief challenge and PTG was mediated by deliberate rumination (Freedle & Kashubeck-West, 2021). Therefore, further research should include all predictive components of the theory in the model to better understand the process of PTG (David et al, 2021).…”

“…Studies conducted with other bereaved and stigmatized populations showed that self-disclosure positively contributed to PTG levels, concluding that it may play an important role in facilitating PTG (Levi-Belz, 2019). More recently, using a convenience sample, David et al (2021) found that for disclosure to predict PTG, it needs to be perceived as helpful. Feeling relief, having a greater understanding of the event, or finding it easier to resolve what happened was the strongest predictor of PTG (David et al, 2021).…”

The curvilinear relationships between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.

“…Greater event centrality and deliberate rumination result both more distress and more growth (David et al, 2022). The distinction is that growth only occurs if meaning is found; survivors with high event centrality and frequent rumination who do not find meaning will experience continued or increased traumatic stress (David et al, 2022; Park, 2010; Tedeschi et al, 2018). In summary, the process of meaning-making around traumas with high centrality fits the empirical findings that PTG is most prevalent alongside some (but not severe) distress; event centrality explains why the PTS–PTG relationship varies across traumas of different severities.…”