Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Promoting Posttraumatic Growth: A Longitudinal Study Immediately After Traumatic Loss.

BACKGROUND

In response to extreme life events, individuals may experience not only distress but also positive transformation, known as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Only a few studies have investigated PTG following traumatic loss. This is the first study to investigate promotive factors-loss-related, intrapersonal and interpersonal factors-immediately after the loss and 6 months later.

METHODS

A total of 36 participants (58% female, Mdn = 49 years) were invited by psychosocial crisis intervention teams. Data collection took place immediately after a traumatic loss (T1) and 6 months later (T2). Various sociodemographic, loss-related, intrapersonal (e.g., symptomatic distress, posttraumatic cognitions) and interpersonal (e.g., social acknowledgement, self-disclosure) variables were investigated. Sociodemographic and loss-related variables were compared using inferential statistical group comparisons with regard to PTG. Multiple logistic regressions compared intrapersonal versus interpersonal factors to predict PTG at 6 months.

RESULTS

Participants were strongly affected by their level of exposure and the sudden or violent death circumstances of their close relatives. Among the sociodemographic and loss-related characteristics, no association was found with PTG. Lower levels of acute symptomatic distress predicted higher PTG. After 6 months, interpersonal factors significantly predicted PTG, whereas intrapersonal variables showed no more association with PTG.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that there is a complex relationship between intrapersonal and interpersonal factors and PTG immediately following traumatic losses as well as 6 months later, which can only partially be related to the existing literature. Further research in this important field is urgently needed to support individuals after traumatic losses.