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

Autor: El Khoury-Malhame M; Department of Social and Education Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon., Sfeir M; Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium., Hallit S; School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.; Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.; Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan., Sawma T; Department of Social and Education Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) [Curr Psychol] 2023 Jan 09, pp. 1-10. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 09.
DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04159-8
Abstrakt: 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.
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Databáze: MEDLINE
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