Meaning in Life and Posttraumatic Growth

Perceived stress and personal growth following the transition to military service: The role of sense of coherence and perceived social support

Relying on personal growth and structuration theories, we aimed to examine the internal (sense of coherence/SOC and help-seeking/HS) and external (perceived social support) resources that contribute to soldiers' personal growth following the transition to military service. We also investigated the role that perceived social support plays in moderating the relationship between SOC and personal growth, and between HS and personal growth. Two-hundred-and-seventy-one compulsory service soldiers (of whom 135 were men and 136 were women) completed self-report questionnaires between 6 and 12 months post-recruitment. The results showed both linear and curvilinear associations between soldiers' perceived stress and personal growth; SOC, HS, and perceived social support were positively correlated with personal growth; and perceived social support moderated both SOC and HS correlations with personal growth. Empirical evidence of personal growth in the transition to military service has been scant. Transitioning from civilian life to military service can be stressful and even traumatic but it can also provide opportunities for personal development. Our findings shed light on contributors to personal growth in the transition to military service, with both internal and external resources found to help one gain personal growth. It is evident that in order for soldiers to thrive, both perceived social support and active help-seeking are key factors.

Effects of meaning-based psychotherapy on post-traumatic growth and death anxiety in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world which imposes numerous psychological burdens on the patients. Psycho-spiritual interventions such as meaning-based therapies may help decrease these challenges. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the effects of meaning-based psychotherapy on post-traumatic growth and death anxiety of patients with cancer.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, Proquest, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched until 30 September 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A random-effect model was preferred, and statistical analysis was performed by STATA software version 17.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies were included in the systematic review. Eleven articles examined the impact of meaning-based interventions on death anxiety and six articles examined post-traumatic growth in cancer patients. Ten studies with a total of 555 participants were included for analysis of the effect of logotherapy versus routine care on death anxiety. Analysis showed a significant decrease effect of logotherapy versus routine care on death anxiety (SMD, - 4.05 (- 6.20, - 1.90); I2, 98.38%). Three studies with a total of 364 participants were included for analysis of the effect of logotherapy versus routine care on post-traumatic growth in patients with cancer. Analysis showed a positive but non-significant effect of logotherapy versus routine care on post-traumatic growth (SMD, 2.05 (- 0.91, 5.01); I2, 99.08%).

CONCLUSION

The qualitative analysis showed the positive impact of meaning-based psychotherapy interventions on death anxiety and post-traumatic growth in cancer patients, but the results of the meta-analysis on post-traumatic growth were not statistically significant. The review shows the need for more clinical trial studies in larger and more diverse samples in terms of cancer types and cultural background.

The relationship of social support to posttraumatic growth in COVID-19 among college students after experiencing campus lockdown: the effects of belief in a just world and meaning in life

Background

Campus lockdown orders were issued for the purpose of preventing and controlling COVID-19, which resulted in psychological problems among college students. However, the experiences they have during the pandemic may also lead to positive personal changes, including posttraumatic growth (PTG). The current study examined the mediating role of belief in a just world and meaning in life in social support and PTG during the COVID-19 campus lockdown.

Method

An online survey was conducted on 1711 college students in Hebei Province, China. Based on the survey results, a structural equation model was established.

Results

Social support positively predicted PTG. Furthermore, belief in a just world and meaning in life played a mediating role between social support and PTG respectively. Besides, social support could also predict PTG through the multiple serial mediating effect of belief in a just world and meaning in life.

Conclusion

These results indicated mechanisms by which social support influenced PTG, and this provided insights into how to promote post-traumatic growth among university students in the post-pandemic period.

Finding Silver Linings in the Covid-19 Pandemic: A 2-Wave Study in the UK

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread anxiety, fear and depression, yet focussing only on these negative issues may obscure the opportunity to promote positivity and resilience. Traumatic events can often result in positive life changes (adversarial growth) though there is little evidence in the context of pandemics, and no previous studies in Covid-19 with the general public. The present research investigated whether adversarial growth was perceived in Covid-19 and whether this could account for variance in wellbeing, over and above effects of personality traits. Participants recruited from the UK public (N = 183) completed the Big Five Personality Inventory, the WHO-5 Wellbeing Scale and the Silver Lining Questionnaire (SLQ) measure of adversarial growth. Questionnaires were completed online, at two timepoints, nine months apart. At Time 1, wellbeing was negatively associated with trait Neuroticism and positively associated with Openness to experience. Both associations were positively mediated by SLQ score. At Time 2, SLQ score again mediated the effects of Openness on wellbeing, and also the influence of wellbeing at Time 1 on that at Time 2. Reported Silver Linings included strengthened personal relationships at Time 1, and improved ability to handle life events at Time 2. This suggests a shift from an appreciation of relationships to an awareness of personal development once life returned to some semblance of normality. Overall, results suggest that perceived adversarial growth supported wellbeing during the pandemic and highlight a focus for therapeutic intervention.

Meaning Making Mechanisms in Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Scoping Review

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a complex and prevalent problem with devastating long-term consequences for survivors. Despite these consequences, some survivors seem to find a source of meaning and fulfillment throughout their recovery process, which may facilitate resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, little is known from the literature about the specific meaning making mechanisms that CSA survivors experience. A scoping review was conducted by searching relevant journals and several online databases such as EbscoHost, Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Studies published in English and that discussed meaning making as a topic of recovery from CSA in the context of women survivors' experiences were included, where a total of 57 articles were selected including qualitative (n = 32), quantitative (n = 9), mixed method (n = 9), and review (n = 7) articles. Using thematic analysis, the results of the scoping review found four mechanisms of meaning making and seven sources of meaning describing the meaning making processes of women survivors of CSA. The mechanisms were identified as being benevolent; restoring and empowering the inner self; mobilizing external and social resources; and lastly actively integrating the trauma narrative. This study contributes toward the global knowledge base on meaning making mechanisms of women survivors of CSA by providing the first known summary of studies to date. Future research is recommended to further confirm these findings to inform treatment interventions for women survivors of CSA.

"It Makes you Want to Go Out and Change the World": Shifts in Victim Advocates' Perspectives Following the Intimate Partner Homicide of a Client in the United States

Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victim advocates are exposed daily to the traumas of their clients, including the potential exposure to an intimate partner homicide (IPH). While research has examined the effects of daily secondary exposure to IPV on victim advocates, little is known about the specific effect of IPH. This study examined how the IPH of a client affected advocates' perception of and approach to their work.

Methods

Nine advocates were recruited from the northeastern U.S. and interviewed about their experience of the IPH of a client. Advocate interviews were analyzed using The Listening Guide Analysis which systematically isolates and listens to the different, and often contradictory, voices that a participant uses.

Results

Exposure to IPH changed participants' perception of their role, how they defined client, and how they interacted with future clients. At a macro-level, the IPH of a client motivated advocates to advance changes in agency protocol, multisector responses, and state policy based on what they had learned from the IPH. Opportunities to translate shifts in their worldview into tangible changes to protocol and policy were critical to advocate adjustment after the IPH.

Conclusions

In order to support advocates after IPH, organizations should acknowledge the potentially transformative effect of IPH and create opportunities for meaning making to assist in advocate adjustment. It is imperative for advocacy organizations to support their employees to prevent advocate burnout and the loss of experienced staff, and to continue to provide effective services to vulnerable members of their communities after IPH.

Relationship between mindfulness, meaning in life and post-traumatic growth among Nigerian cancer patients

Understanding the psychosocial factors that predict recovery and promote growth from trauma is critical to effective management of oncology patients. Although previous studies have shown that mindfulness and meaning in life could be predictors of post-traumatic growth (PTG), no study to date has explored the combined role of mindfulness and meaning in life in the development of PTG among cancer patients. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 957 cancer patients (46.8% male, 53.2% female) who completed relevant self-report measures. Results showed that the presence of meaning in life mediated the relationship between mindfulness and PTG. However, the mediation effect of search for meaning in life was not significant. These findings indicate that the presence of meaning in life is an essential mechanism of mindfulness in facilitating PTG. Therefore, psychosocial interventions geared towards promoting PTG should consider mindfulness as a potential effective component in improving cancer patients' ability to find meaning in life and possibly promote recovery.

Meaning in life and health behavior habits during the COVID-19 pandemic: Mediating role of health values and moderating role of conscientiousness

An increasing number of studies have explored health behavior changes since the COVID-19 outbreak, however, the potential mechanism leading to the acquisition of COVID-19-related health behavior habits remains largely underexplored. The current study aimed to investigate how meaning in life contributed to the Chinese general public's acquisition of COVID-19-related health behavior habits, and whether health values would play a mediating role and conscientiousness would play a further moderating role in this relation. A total of 1024 Chinese participants (age range = 17-63 years; 67.29% females) were recruited by posting flyers on an open-access web forum. All participants voluntarily completed a series of online anonymous questionnaires assessing conscientiousness, meaning in life, health values and health behavior habits. Results showed that (1) the majority of the respondents reported the acquisition of COVID-19-related health behavior habits, and meaning in life positively predicted COVID-19-related health behavior habits; (2) health values mediated the link between meaning in life and health behavior habits; and (3) conscientiousness moderated the indirect effect, such that the indirect effect was stronger among individuals with low conscientiousness. These findings have important implications for revealing the reconstruction of the Chinese public's health behavior habits and its potential mechanism that meaning in life influences health behavior habits through health values during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for individuals with low conscientiousness.

The fear of COVID-19 and flourishing: the mediating role of search for meaning and presence of meaning

Past researches have found that sense of control and meaning in life can act as a protective factor against fear of COVID-19 pandemic. The current study examined whether the search for meaning and the presence of meaning could mediate the link between fear of COVID-19 and flourishing. A total of 312 Iranians who were identified by snowball sampling were recruited as the subjects of the cross-sectional study. The participants gave their consent to complete the Meaning in Life Scale, Flourishing Scale, and Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The findings demonstrated that fear of COVID-19 had a significant direct effect on flourishing. The presence meaning was positively and significantly connected with flourishing and the search for meaning. Both the search for - and the presence - of meaning were negatively and significantly linked with fear of COVID-19. Mediation analysis demonstrated that a presence of meaning is a protective factor for flourishing, but the search for meaning can be detrimental to flourishing. As a result, it may be worthwhile to conduct longitudinal research to track how the effects of the presence of meaning and the search for meaning vary over time. The study calls on mental health providers to take into account how the presence of meaning might lessen the negative impacts of fear in crisis situations and promote flourishing.

The transformative power of pain and posttraumatic growth in nurses with Covid-19 PCR positive

PURPOSE

This study aims to examine the relationship between the transformative power of pain and posttraumatic growth in nurses with positive Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

DESIGN AND METHOD

"Sociodemographics Form," "Transformative Power of Pain Scale," and "Post-Traumatic Growth Scale" were used to collect the data of the study.

FINDINGS

In the study, posttraumatic growth increased as the level of the transformative power of pain increased for nurses. Furthermore, some variables were found to have an effect on the transformative power of pain and the posttraumatic growth mean score in nurses who had positive Covid-19 PCR test.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses should be provided with social and professional psychological support to improve their transformative power of pain and posttraumatic growth levels.

Exposure to Death and Bereavement: An Analysis of the Occupational and Psychological Wellbeing of Funeral and Mortuary Operators

Confronting death and suffering represent central work-related contents in the funeral industry occupations. Despite past research evidence on the role of psychosocial risks, a positive side of the relationship with death exposure has also been highlighted. To expand research on these topics, the aim of the present study was to analyze the role of death exposure in affecting funeral and mortuary operators' wellbeing. Analysis of variance was performed on 201 questionnaires to analyze differences between work exposure. Workers always/very often exposed to death through sight or manipulation of bodies showed better psychological and occupational wellbeing compared to those not at all/very rarely committed with these tasks. Those who interacted very frequently with the bereaved showed better psychological and occupational wellbeing, compared to those who were never/very rarely committed with these relational tasks. Insights on the role of death and suffering exposure and information for occupational health practitioners are discussed.

Priorities for returning to work after traumatic injury: A public and professional involvement study

Introduction

Following traumatic injury, occupational therapists (OTs) are pivotal in supporting people to return-to-work (RTW) and regain independence. Aim: to identify priorities for RTW after traumatic injury and highlight barriers hindering the process.

Method

We recruited 17 participants with direct (i.e. trauma survivor [ n = 11]; OT trauma survivor [ n = 2]) or indirect (i.e. OT [ n = 4]) experience of returning to work following traumatic injury. Online consultations, lasting 60 min, were guided by a semi-structured script ensuring relevant topics were covered. An inductive approach was used for coding themes using thematic analysis.

Findings

Sense of purpose, identity and social interaction were greater priorities for RTW, than financial stability. Major barriers were: pain and fatigue; adapting to physical changes; impacts on mental health; and lack of support (healthcare and the workplace). Participants (public and healthcare professionals) reported a lack of vocational rehabilitation in supporting trauma survivors RTW, but advocated occupational therapy for psychological recovery; purposeful engagement in occupations; and community support.

Conclusion

Restoring an individual’s self-identity and social connections, whilst helping control pain and fatigue, should be prioritised when planning occupational therapy for those returning to work after traumatic injury. This study was limited to ‘returners’, but can inform occupational therapy interventions for RTW.

Challenges of Researchers in Conducting International Study during the Eruption of COVID-19: Student and Mentor Perspectives

Conducting an international research study may bear various challenges; however, during the global COVID-19 crisis, such a study undertakes unpredictable trajectories. This paper explores the challenges experienced by researchers studying Syrian refugees' physical and mental health and aid workers serving under humanitarian organizations in Lebanon. It includes information about the changes in the study's goals and design with the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2, as necessitated by the circumstances COVID-19 imposed. It focuses on the unique perspectives of the research team of two students and their mentor who faced multiple challenges while involved in the study, and their narratives and subjective experiences that led to new opportunities for growth in the project. The research team specifically engaged in humanistic and existential psychology in order to conduct research in a manner conducive to personal and professional development, productivity and growth. To conclude, the researchers propose recommendations to the academic community on mitigating some of the challenges faced when conducting international research, and suggestions to the humanitarian sector serving vulnerable populations in conflict zones during COVID-19.

The meaning of losing a child in older adults: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

After losing their child, elderly parents look for a meaning in this phenomenon. This meaning comes out from their experiences, and their responses to and actions in life are shaped based on this meaning. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of "understanding the meaning of losing a child in older adults."

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis method. Using semi-structured face-to-face interviews, data were collected from 15 older adults who had experienced of losing their adult child. Data analysis was performed according to the steps proposed by Graneheim and Lundman, 2004. To prove the trustworthiness of the data, credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability were used.

RESULTS

The age range of participants was between 61 and 83 years and 73.3% of them were female. The two main categories of "tasting the bitter flavor of life" and "searching for a positive meaning in losing a child" together with the theme of "finding hope in the heart of darkness" were extracted from the participants' experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the grief of losing a child, which had cast a dark shadow over the parents' lives, the child's liberation from worldly sufferings, his/her presence in a better world, and being hopeful about the grace of God had caused the elderly parents to find hope in the heart of darkness. After identifying the parents with a deceased child, they should be helped through psychological counseling and care of the healthcare team so that they can adapt to this situation by finding a positive meaning in losing their child.

Emerging adulthood among backpackers: The contribution of internal and external factors to sense of community

During emerging adulthood, individuals are primarily concerned with themselves. Community participation, however, may help one to mature, and community belonging is important for well-being. As such, the current study aimed to examine these two components among young-adult Israeli backpackers abroad. We examined the role of personal (mastery, self-esteem, and posttraumatic growth) and environmental (family and friends' support) factors in sense of belonging and community participation. A cross-sectional sample survey was distributed; data were collected from 332 Israeli backpackers abroad. The findings based on t-tests, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical regression analysis showed that mastery was associated with sense of belonging, not with community participation. Self-esteem and posttraumatic growth were positively associated with both dependent variables. Friends' support was also positively associated with both dependent variables; family support was not significantly associated with either. Personal factors had the greatest association with sense of community.

The impact of strict and forced confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic on positive functioning variables, emotional distress, and posttraumatic growth in a Spanish sample

Background: The adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have been widely studied in recent months. However, few studies have examined the protective psychological factors that may explain how individuals are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its forced confinements. Objective: This study analyzes the impact of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic on positive functioning variables (resilience, meaning of life, gratitude, compassion, life satisfaction), emotional distress (depression, anxiety, perceived stress, affect), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). The impact was measured during and after the first month of strict and obligatory confinement in Spain. Methods: The sample was composed of 438 Spanish residents (78.3% women) between the ages of 18 and 68 (M = 35.68; SD = 13.19) during the first stage (first two weeks) of confinement. The sample was reduced to 197 participants during the second stage (fifth week) of confinement. Several online self-reported questionnaires were administered to assess positive functioning variables, emotional distress, and PTG. Results: Women, youths, individuals without a partner, with lower monetary incomes, or diagnosed with a mental disorder or chronic illness experienced lower scores in positive functioning variables and greater emotional distress during the first stage of confinement. Linear mixed models showed that scores on positive functioning variables, emotional distress, and PTG worsened in the second stage of confinement. Nevertheless, a structural equations model showed that increases in positive functioning variables in the second stage were associated with increases in life satisfaction (R² = .450) and related to decreases in emotional distress (R² = .186), leading in turn to increases in PTG (R² = .061). Conclusions: Individuals could experience PTG during strict and mandatory confinement. The increase in PTG during this adverse event was indirectly associated with increases in positive functioning variables (i.e. gratitude, presence of meaning, resilience), through improvements in life satisfaction and emotional distress.

Life After Facing Cancer: Posttraumatic Growth, Meaning in Life and Life Satisfaction

Although it is known that facing cancer may be accompanied by a range of chronic and acute stress reactions, it can also contribute to positive psychological changes and influence one's life perception. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG), meaning in life and life satisfaction to determine whether the presence of meaning or the search for meaning mediated the relationship between PTG and life satisfaction. The study was conducted with 149 cancer survivors who were at least one-month post-completion of all medical cancer therapy. The results indicate positive associations between PTG, the presence of meaning in life, the search for meaning and life satisfaction. Moreover, the relationship between PTG and life satisfaction could be explained by the mediating effect of the presence of meaning in life. Thus, it is important for clinicians to systematically facilitate PTG, meaning in life and life satisfaction as protective factors to one's daily functioning.

World assumptions and post-traumatic growth among older adults: The case of Holocaust survivors

Traumatic events may lead to post-traumatic growth (PTG). Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanisms leading to PTG, especially among older adults. This study sought to examine the direct relationship between world assumptions and PTG and the indirect relationship between them via two possible mediation pathways: post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and meaning in life. One hundred fifty-nine Holocaust survivors participated in the study (mean age = 82.34, SD = 5.81). Participants completed questionnaires of world assumptions, meaning in life, PTSS and PTG. The findings showed that world assumptions were positive and were positively associated with meaning in life and PTG and negatively associated with PTSS. The results of the multiple mediation model suggest that meaning in life and PTSS partially mediated the relations between world assumptions and PTG. Positive world assumptions were associated with higher meaning in life, which was associated with higher PTG. In contrast, despite the direct association between PTSS and PTG, the mediating effect of PTSS was negative, thus the more positive the world assumptions, the higher the PTG mediated by lower PTSS. The results suggest that the relationship between world assumptions and PTG may be direct and indirect. These findings suggest possible mechanisms underlying PTG, especially in old age.

Optimal Sense-Making and Resilience in Times of Pandemic: Integrating Rationality and Meaning in Psychotherapy

The global COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a wide variety of psychological crises worldwide. In order to respond rapidly and efficiently to the complex challenges, mental health professionals are required to adopt a multidimensional and integrative view. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) founded by Albert Ellis promotes rationality and self-acceptance. Logotherapy, pioneered by Viktor Frankl potentiates meaning and resilience. Both approaches are complementary and mutually enriching. The goal of this paper is to propose an integrative model of "optimal sense-making," a concept that combines both rationality and meaning, as well as the role of self-transcendence and healthy negative emotions. The model offers a theoretical and clinical foundation for efficient and effective psychological intervention plans for those affected by the pandemic. Along with theoretical background, illustrating case studies are presented to support potential application of the integrative model to affected individuals as well as the work of first-line health professionals during these times of pandemic. Implications are considered for utilizing theoretical and applied insights from the model to cultivate resilience in face of adversity and suffering.

The relationship between search for meaning in life and symptoms of depression and anxiety: Key roles of the presence of meaning in life and life events among Chinese adolescents

BACKGROUND

Meaning in life has been associated with greater mental health. However, previous findings are inconsistent regarding how the search for meaning in life (SML) is related to mental health issues such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study proposed and tested a new model to explain how the relationship between SML and symptoms of depression as well as anxiety can be moderated by life events and mediated by the presence of meaning in life (PML).

METHODS

Middle and high school students (N = 1,705, 836 girls and 869 boys; M_age = 14.37, SD = 1.70) were administrated the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the State Anxiety Inventory.

RESULTS

Results showed that the relationship between SML and symptoms of depression (or anxiety) depended on the impact of the life events experienced by the individual. In general, SML served as a beneficial or unrelated factor for those experiencing low impactful life events, but as a harmful factor for those experiencing high impactful life events. For those experiencing middle impactful life events, SML had a positive direct effect, but a negative indirect effect (through PML) on symptoms of depression (or anxiety).

LIMITATIONS

Data are cross-sectional, and the present study examined only middle school students, which may limit generalizability.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate a complex relationship between SML and mental health. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other related problems may be diminished by applying training programs and policies aimed at increasing PML and reducing negative life events.

Discrimination and Posttraumatic Growth Among Muslim American Youth: Mediation via Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Muslim Americans increasingly have been targets of discrimination. Previous research has provided preliminary evidence that higher perceived discrimination is associated with higher symptoms of discrimination-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and higher discrimination-related posttraumatic growth (PTG). Further research in other contexts has shown that PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between event severity and PTG. However, no existing studies have explored discrimination-related PTG and whether PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between perceived discrimination and discrimination-related PTG among Muslim Americans. The current study included 110 Muslim American college students who completed an online survey assessing perceived discrimination, discrimination-related PTSD symptoms, and discrimination-related PTG. Higher perceived discrimination was significantly associated with higher discrimination-related PTG at the bivariate level. In a multivariable mediation model, the indirect effect of perceived discrimination on discrimination-related PTG via discrimination-related PTSD was statistically significant. The results suggest that clinicians working with Muslim American college students should attend to the ways in which their discriminatory experiences could foster PTG, in addition to helping them cope with PTSD symptoms.

Patient Perspectives on Key Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Interventions Following Traumatic Injury

Returning to work after traumatic injury can have a range of benefits, but there is currently little research that incorporates patient perspectives to identify outcomes of vocational rehabilitation interventions that are important to survivors. Trauma survivors (n = 17) participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews or focus groups exploring outcomes that were important to them for recovery and return to work. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified a range of outcomes that they considered important and necessary to facilitate a successful and sustainable return to work: physical and psychological recovery, purposeful life engagement, managing expectations of recovery, managing expectations about return to work, and employers’ expectations. Our participants advocated for a multifaceted and biopsychosocial understanding of recovery and outcomes that need to be captured for vocational rehabilitation interventions. Implications for practice and research are discussed, and recommendations are given based on the findings.

"Out of the Depths Have I Called Thee": Jewish Israeli Undertakers' Management of Death Anxiety

According to Terror Management Theory, there are three common buffers that minimize the anxiety of mortality salience: affirmation of one's cultural worldview, the self and one's personal values, and one's significance in the context of close personal relationships. The current study aimed to explore the manner by which Jewish Israeli undertakers manage their constant exposure to death and buffer against death anxiety. A deductive and inductive thematic analysis captured a dialectical movement between, and within, two conflicting worldviews participants were engaged in, in their attempt to manage the mortality salience effect they experience and buffer against death anxiety.

Choice as a Meaning-Making Device for Maximizers: Evidence From Reactance to Restrictions of Choice Freedom During Lockdown

The current research investigates maximizers’ responses to restrictions of choice freedom during lockdown in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having as a starting point the assumption that for maximizers choice is constitutive of identity, this research proposes that maximizing is associated with search for existential meaning in life. In turn, maximizers’ propensity to search for meaning is associated with a higher susceptibility to experience reactance when their freedom of choice is restricted, which is further associated with higher engagement in online shopping during lockdown presumably as a means to combat reactance and restore choice freedom. Using the lockdown in spring 2020 as a naturalistic context to study consumer responses to restrictions of choice freedom, results of an online study in Austria support these predictions. These findings advance a view of maximizers as “lay existentialists,” who view choice as a meaning-making device that is tightly linked to their sense of identity. As a result, when their choice freedom is threatened, maximizers may respond with higher reactance and engage in restorative actions.

Finding Meaning in Hell. The Role of Meaning, Religiosity and Spirituality in Posttraumatic Growth During the Coronavirus Crisis in Spain

Coronavirus has blighted our world, hitting some countries harder than others. Morbidity and mortality rates make Madrid one of the worst affected places so far in the wake of the coronavirus. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of post-traumatic growth during the coronavirus crisis and to understand the contribution of meaning, religiosity, and spirituality to such growth; 1,492 people completed the questionnaire; N = 1,091 residents in Madrid were selected for the study. We assessed the personal experience of COVID-19, the Spirituality, Religiosity, Meaning trough Purpose in Life-10 test, and Posttraumatic Growth (Community Post-Traumatic Growth Scale). Results showed significant differences for all measures of growth, with higher values in women. Sex and direct impact of COVID-19 accounted for 4.4% of the variance of growth. The different dimensions of meaning contribute differently to growth. Only religiosity was associated with total growth when meaning was included in the model. This same pattern of results is obtained in models predicting interpersonal and social growth. However, in predicting personal growth, it is spirituality that predicts this type of growth once meaning has been previously controlled for, while religiosity fails to reach a statistically significant level. Our results reflect the interest in maintaining the distinction between spirituality and religiosity, their different roles in traumatic growth and the different dimensions on which each has an effect. Finally, it confirms the importance of meaning in post-traumatic growth, especially the dimension of life goals and purposes.

Refugee trauma work: Effects on intimate relationships and vicarious posttraumatic growth

BACKGROUND

Bearing witness to Syrian refugee atrocities may result in aid-workers' vicarious traumatization (VT). This study examined work stressors and organizational support and their associations with vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG) and intimate relationships. It also examined the potential mediating effects of differentiation of the self and finding meaning in trauma-work.

METHODS

Aid-workers (N = 317) from organizations in Jordan were surveyed. Univariate statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) were utilized to test hypothesized relationships.

RESULTS

Increased VT was associated with increased VPTG, decreased intimacy and decreased differentiation. Increased needs addressed by NGOs was associated with increased VPTG, differentiation, and finding meaning. Increased trauma-exposure was associated with increased finding meaning. Increased co-workers support was associated with increased intimacy and finding meaning. Higher differentiation was associated with decreased VPTG, and increased intimacy. Whereas, increased finding meaning was associated with increased VPTG and intimacy. Differentiation partially mediated the associations between VT, and both VPTG and intimacy, and between needs at work and VPTG. Differentiation fully mediated the association between needs at work and intimacy. Finding meaning fully mediated the associations between extent of trauma-exposure, and both VPTG and intimacy, and between co-workers support and VPTG; needs at work and intimacy. It partially mediated the associations between needs at work and VPTG; co-workers support and intimacy.

LIMITATIONS

The study is cross-sectional and generalization is limited to aid-workers who provide services to Syrian refugees in Jordan.

CONCLUSIONS

Organizational support is crucial in mitigating the negative impacts of trauma-work, and in enabling a nurturing space for potential growth.

From Shattered Goals to Meaning in Life: Life Crafting in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel COVID-19 pandemic has created an extraordinary situation for our generation, with many countries being on lockdown. With this, new situation comes many psychological challenges not only for health care workers and people suffering from COVID-19 but also for the general population. Adapting to the new situation can be demanding. Experts have suggested that emotions during this situation are very similar to grief, and people experience emptiness and sadness about the loss of their normal lives, which can even lead to a loss of meaning in life. In this paper, we argue that life crafting could offer a way to help people cope with the situation and renew their sense of meaning. A life crafting intervention is based on theoretical insights from multiple areas of research, like positive psychology, expressive writing, and the salutogenesis framework. Life-crafting interventions help people find meaning in life by focusing on their ideal future, and helping them set goals, and make concrete plans to achieve those goals and overcome obstacles. Since having a clear purpose or meaning in life has been shown to have many benefits, we propose that it can also help people to cope with the psychological effects of the pandemic. A life-crafting intervention can offer people a chance to evaluate their goals in a time of uncertainty and rediscover meaning in life to guide them through these difficult times.

Do beliefs influence posttraumatic growth in fathers of children with intellectual disabilities?

BACKGROUND

Although facing a child's intellectual disability (ID) is considered to threaten paternal psychosocial wellbeing, in recent years there has also been a burgeoning interest in positive contributions of raising children with ID, including posttraumatic growth (PTG) in parents.

METHOD

142 fathers of children with ID completed Polish versions of three inventories: The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Basic Hope Inventory (BHI), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The average child's age was 11.06 (range: 7-13 years). The stages of the analysis included: descriptive statistics for posttraumatic growth (PTG), basic hope (BH), and self-efficacy (GSE), correlation analysis and the Preacher and Hayes procedure of bootstrapping to test whether GSE mediates the relationship between BH and PTG.

RESULTS

85.91 % of fathers of children with ID experience average or high levels of PTG with the highest scores in its two dimensions: greater appreciation of life, and positive changes in relations with others. PTG is significantly negatively related to a child's age. GSE is a significant mediator of the relationship between BH and PTG (total score and all dimensions).

CONCLUSION

The importance of beliefs for experiencing positive changes as a result of raising a child with disability may be useful in therapeutic and supportive activities offered to fathers who experience difficulties in fulfilling their paternal role.

Deliberate Rumination and Positive Reappraisal as Serial Mediators Between Life Impact and Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of State Terrorism in Chile (1973-1990)

This study examines the role of coping strategies related to positive reappraisal versus other cognitive strategies (deliberate rumination) as mediators between life impact and posttraumatic growth in survivors of the military dictatorship in Chile between 1973 and 1990 (tortured political prisoners and family members of political prisoners executed and missing). Survey data from 251 political violence survivors were analyzed using the SPSS PROCESS macro for bootstrapping indirect effects (Hayes, 2013). Results indicated that positive reappraisal (or reframing) coping mediated the relationship between life impact and posttraumatic growth. A serial multiple mediation model indicates that in the life impact to growth moderation process, rumination must be followed by positive reappraisal to drive this growth. These findings suggest that positive reappraisal of the traumatic experience is essential to achieve growth reports. Implications of these more complex relations are discussed for both counseling interventions and further research.

Applying resilience theory models to contextualize economic-dependent partnerships as a risk factor for HIV among young men who have sex with men

Economic-dependent partnerships (EDP) are an understudied HIV risk correlate among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the U.S. We explored whether YMSM's psychological resilience buffered against the effect of socioeconomic disadvantage on EDPs, after accounting for other psychosocial risks. Data come from an observational study assessing YMSM's HIV vulnerabilities. We developed indices for socioeconomic disadvantage, psychosocial profiles, and cumulative promotive factors. Multivariable logistic regressions tested the main associations of these indices on EDPs. Protective models tested whether psychosocial profiles exacerbated and cumulative promotive factors buffered the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on EDPs. 31% and 23% of YMSM reported EDPs with main and casual partners, respectively. For both outcomes, we found support for adjusted compensatory models. Socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with increased odds of EDPs with main (AOR = 1.45, p < .001) and casual (AOR = 1.47, p < .001) partners. Psychosocial profiles were also associated with increased odds of EDPs with main (AOR = 1.53, p = .001) and casual (AOR = 1.67, p < .001) partners. Cumulative promotive factors was associated with decreased odds of EDPs with main (AOR = 0.66, p = .003) and casual (AOR = 0.72, p = .035) partners. Our findings elucidate the need for multilevel interventions that provide opportunities for socioeconomic advancement and improve psychosocial/psychological functioning for at-risk YMSM.

Post-traumatic growth in the military: a systematic review

Background

Post-traumatic growth is defined as positive psychological, social or spiritual growth after a trauma.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to identify studies that quantitatively measured post-traumatic growth among (ex-) military personnel, to determine whether there is evidence of growth in this context and whether such growth is associated with any sociodemographic, military, trauma or mental health factors.

Data sources

The electronic databases PsycInfo, OVIDmedline and Embase were searched for studies published between 2001 and 2017.

Study eligibility criteria and participants

Papers were retained if they involved military or ex-military personnel, where some had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Study appraisal

Quality assessment was conducted on all studies.

Results

21 studies were retained. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory was employed by 14 studies: means ranged from 32.60 (standard deviation = 14.88) to 59.07 (23.48). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form was used by five studies: means ranged from 17.11 (14.88) to 20.40 (11.88). These values suggest moderate growth. Higher levels of social support, spirituality and rumination and minority ethnicity were most frequently associated with more post-traumatic growth.

Limitations

The involved studies may lack generalisability and methodological quality.

Conclusions

Overall, this paper confirms that negative reactions to trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder, are not the only possible outcomes for service personnel, as moderate post-traumatic growth can also be observed.

Implications of key findings

Interventions aimed at helping current and former armed forces personnel to identify and promote post-traumatic growth post-conflict may be beneficial for their well-being.

Assessing posttraumatic growth, complicated grief, and psychological distress in bereaved atheists and believers

The present study examines how meaning and belief in God or god(s) is related to bereavement outcomes. Data from 299 participants residing in the United States indicated that the variables of search for meaning, presence of meaning, and belief in God or god(s) were significantly related to posttraumatic growth, complicated grief, and psychological distress. Results from this study can be used to identify appropriate clinical strategies for mental health practitioners working with bereaved clients and will expand the breadth of literature on bereavement with atheist populations in the United States.

Does A Major Earthquake Change Job Preferences and Human Values?

Does a major natural disaster change human values and job preferences? The present studies examined whether the experience of a natural disaster experience shifts people's values and job preferences toward pro–social directions. In Study 1 (cross–temporal analysis), we analysed job application data in nine cities in Japan over 12 years and found that the popularity of pro–social occupations (e.g. firefighter) increased after the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake in 1995, in particular the area hit hardest by the quake. In Study 2 (a large national survey), we found that Japanese respondents who had experienced a major earthquake are more likely to hold a pro–social job than those who never experienced a major earthquake. Together, the current findings suggest that the experience of a major natural disaster shifts human values from the egocentric to the allocentric direction, which in turn could result in a social structure that values pro–social occupations. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology

Lived experiences of parents of premature babies in the intensive care unit in a private hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background

Many of the 15 million premature babies born worldwide every year survive because of advanced medical interventions. Their parents have intense experiences when their babies are in the intensive care unit (ICU), and these have an impact on their thoughts, feelings and relationships, including their relationships with their premature babies.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of parents of premature babies in an ICU.

Method

Research design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. A purposive sample of parents with premature babies in an ICU in a private hospital in Johannesburg Gauteng in South Africa was used. Eight parents, four mothers and four fathers, married and either Afrikaans or English-speaking, were included in the study. Data were collected by conducting in-depth phenomenological interviews with them and making use of field notes. Trustworthiness was ensured by implementing the strategies of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice were adhered to throughout the research process.

Results

Thematic analyses were utilised to analyse the data. Two themes in the experiences of parents with premature babies in ICU became apparent. Parents experienced thoughts, emotions and hope while their premature babies were in the ICU as well as challenges in their relationships and these challenges influenced their experiences.

Recommendations

Mindfulness of intensive care nurses should be facilitated so that intensive care nurses can promote the mental health of parents with premature babies in the ICU.

Conclusion

Parents with premature babies in the ICU have thoughts and emotional experiences which include hope and they affect parents’ relationships.

Post-traumatic growth enhances social identification in liver transplant patients: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this paper is to investigate the prediction that greater subjective identification with relevant groups and social categories (i.e. 'family' and 'transplantees') can be an outcome of post-traumatic growth (PTG). To date there are no studies that have explored these relationships.

METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted with a group of 100 liver transplant patients from the outpatient populations of the participating centre. Data were collected by means of a self-report questionnaire, which was completed at two different time points (T1 and T2) that were 24months apart. PTG was assessed using the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, while both transplantee and family identification were assessed using group identification scales. A path model was tested, using a structural equation model (SEM) approach, to examine the reciprocal effects among family identification, transplantee identification, and PTG over time.

RESULTS

As predicted, we found that greater PTG T1 predicted both greater family identification T2 and marginally greater transplantee identification T2. However, the two identification variables did not predict PTG over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that family identification and transplantee identification may be outcomes of the PTG process, confirming the importance of adopting a thriving multidimensional model of adjustment to medical illness, whereby people facing adverse life events, such as transplantation, may flourish rather than deteriorate psychologically.

Meaning and Posttraumatic Growth Among Survivors of the September 2013 Colorado Floods

In the wake of significant adversity, a range of recovery outcomes are possible, from prolonged distress to minimal effects on functioning and even psychological growth. Finding meaning in one's life is thought to facilitate optimal recovery from such adversity. Research on psychological growth and recovery often focuses on the daily hassles or significant traumas of convenience samples or on people's psychological recovery from medical illness. A small body of research is developing to test theories of growth among survivors of natural disasters. The present study of 57 survivors of the 2013 Colorado floods tested the incremental relations between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and dimensions of meaning in life, vitality, and perceived social support. The most consistent relations observed were among the one dimension of meaning-search for meaning-perceived social support, and PTG. Despite the limitations of this study, we conclude that search for meaning in life may be an important part of recovery from natural disasters, floods being one example.