Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among the spouses of myocardial infarction patients

Posttraumatic growth among combat veterans and their siblings: A dyadic approach

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to use a dyadic approach to assess the effects of veterans' posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and siblings' secondary PTSS, as well as veterans' and siblings' relationship quality, on primary and secondary posttraumatic growth (PTG).

METHOD

A volunteers' sample of 106 dyads of Israeli combat veterans and their close-in-age siblings responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional, dyadic design study.

RESULTS

Veterans' primary PTG was positively associated with siblings' secondary PTG. Veterans' PTSS and siblings' secondary PTSS were associated with higher levels of primary and secondary PTG, respectively. Furthermore, among veterans, warmth in siblings' relationships was associated with higher levels of primary PTG. However, among siblings, rivalry in sibling relationships was associated with lower levels of secondary PTG.

CONCLUSIONS

Both veterans' and siblings' PTSS are only related to their own PTG. Moreover, perception of siblings' relationship quality might have a differential effect on PTG among veterans and their siblings.

Development and Validation of a Scale to Measure Fear of Activity in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease (Fact-CAD)

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a scale to measure fear of activity in patients with coronary artery disease.

DESIGN

Psychometric study.

SETTING

Outpatient cardiology clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

The scale was applied to patients who had myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous coronary intervention within the last 12 months (N=250).

INTERVENTIONS

A scale for fear of activity in patients with coronary artery disease (Fact-CAD) was created through semistructured focus group interviews with patients. Face and content validity of Fact-CAD was verified.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Psychometric analysis included model fit, unidimensionality, reliability, local dependency, differential item functioning, and external construct validity. Analyses were performed using the Rasch Analysis Model.

RESULTS

Fact-CAD scale was a reliable (high Person Separation Index of 0.89) and valid (unidimensional, no misfit, local independency supported, no residual correlations) measure of fear of activity. Three items showed differential item functioning according to employment status, marital status, and angina pectoris, which were not assigned as real item bias by experts and remained in the model.

CONCLUSION

Fact-CAD was supported by Rasch analysis as a psychometrically valid scale to evaluate fear of activity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory for patients suffering from chronic diseases

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory among Hong Kong chronic disease patients. Using a cross-sectional design and multistage stratification sampling, 265 chronic disease patients were recruited from a selection of non-governmental organizations and patient self-help groups across Hong Kong. The Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory total scale and subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency, reliability and concurrent validity. The factor structure of the Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory fit well with a higher-order intrapersonal factor (self, spiritual and life orientation) and a first-order interpersonal factor. The Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory was predictive of hope and positive coping but negatively predictive of anxiety. The five Chinese Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory subscales can help practitioners identify meaningful health outcomes for Chinese chronic disease patients.

The effects of anxiety and depression on stress-related growth among Chinese army recruits: Resilience and coping as mediators

Stress-related growth can occur after various traumas or stressful events. In order to investigate how anxiety and depression relate to stress-related growth, this study was conducted with 443 Chinese army recruits who had just finished a 3-month recruit training program. Path analyses revealed that resilience and positive/negative coping partially mediated the effect of anxiety on perceived stress-related growth, while negative coping fully mediated the relationship between depression and perceived stress-related growth. Moreover, positive coping partially carried the influence of resilience on perceived stress-related growth. Anxiety and depression may be potential targets for intervention to enhance the development of stress-related growth among Chinese army recruits.

"A gift wrapped in barbed wire" positive and negative life changes after being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

A growing interest in posttraumatic growth among individuals who have experienced a traumatic event has given rise to measures such as the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi and Calhoun, 1996). However, such measures may not fully represent all dimensions of change among individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease and fail to highlight the negative changes that may also occur. This study explores the positive and negative changes patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have experienced since diagnosis.

METHODS

Three hundred and seventy-eight IBD patients provided answers to the qualitative question "Could you please describe the (positive/negative) effect(s) IBD has had on your life?" A grounded theory approach using NVivo was performed on participants' responses.

RESULTS

Nearly 73 % of participants reported their disease positively affected their life in some way, and five themes related to positive changes emerged from the analysis: Interpersonal Relations, Personal Growth, Valuing Life, New Life Paths, and Spiritual Growth. However, almost 80 % of participants also reported their disease negatively affected their lives, with three themes emerging from the analysis: Freedom Restrictions, Psychological Side Effects, and Social Isolation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support previous findings but also reveal that some dimensions related to the positive changes following adversity are not adequately assessed by the PTGI (e.g., appraising existing friendships, openness to try different forms of treatment or therapies, and psychological preparedness). The implications of these findings for future measurement and research of posttraumatic growth with IBD patients are discussed.

Posttraumatic growth in long term breast cancer survivors: relation to coping, social support and cognitive processing

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has rarely been studied in long term breast cancer survivors using open interviews. In order to address the issue of how women integrate PTG in their overall cancer experience, 28 open interviews concerning changes after cancer were carried out with 5- to 15-year survivors. The analysis of results, performed using Alceste software, revealed one thematic class of PTG which was specific to women with high coping and social support and active cognitive processing. PTG theme appeared most often as a conclusion of interviews rather than in response to the question about changes after cancer.