Work

No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Major negative life-events including bereavement can precipitate perceived positive life-changes, termed posttraumatic growth (PTG). While traditionally considered an adaptive phenomenon, it has been suggested that PTG represents a maladaptive coping response similar to cognitive avoidance. To clarify the function of PTG, it is crucial to establish concurrent and longitudinal associations of PTG with post-event mental health problems. Yet, longitudinal studies on this topic are scarce. The present study fills this gap in knowledge. DESIGN: A two-wave longitudinal survey was conducted. METHODS: Four-hundred and twelve bereaved adults (87.6% women) filled out scales assessing PTG and symptoms of depression, anxiety, prolonged grief, and posttraumatic stress at baseline and 6 months later. RESULTS: The baseline concurrent relationships between all symptom levels and PTG were curvilinear (inverted U-shape). Cross-lagged analyses demonstrated that symptom levels did not predict levels of PTG 6 months later, or vice versa. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest PTG after loss has no substantive negative or positive effects on mental health. Development of specific treatments to increase PTG after bereavement therefore appears premature.

Source: Anxiety Stress & Coping

DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2019.1584293

Authors: Maarten C. Eisma, Lonneke I. M. Lenferink, Margaret S. Stroebe, Paul A. Boelen, Henk A. W. Schut

Institutions: University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group

Language: English

Topic: Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: ZonMw, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek