The Up-Side of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Core Belief Violation and Meaning Making Associated with Post-Traumatic Growth?

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been extensively documented, while its possible positive impact on the individual, defined as Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), has been much less investigated. The present study examines the association between PTG and socio-demographic aspects, pre-pandemic psychological adjustment, stressors directly linked to COVID-19 and four psychological factors theoretically implicated in the change processes (core belief violation, meaning-making, vulnerability and mortality perception). During the second wave of the pandemic 680 medical patients completed an online survey on direct and indirect COVID-19 stressors, health and demographic information, post-traumatic growth, core belief violation, meaning-making capacity, feelings of vulnerability and perceptions of personal mortality. Violation of core beliefs, feelings of vulnerability and mortality, and pre-pandemic mental illness positively correlated with post-traumatic growth. Moreover, the diagnosis of COVID-19, stronger violation of core beliefs, greater meaning-making ability, and lower pre-existing mental illness predicted greater PTG. Finally, a moderating effect of meaning-making ability was found. The clinical implications were discussed.

Relationship between rumination and post-traumatic growth in mobile cabin hospital nurses: The mediating role of psychological resilience.

Psychological resilience helps individuals to actively respond to various emergencies, but its mediating role between the rumination and post-traumatic growth (PTG) of nurses remains unknown. Our study aimed to explore the extent to which psychological resilience mediates the association between rumination and PTG among nurses working in mobile cabin hospitals. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 449 medical team members working in mobile cabin hospitals to support the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 in Shanghai, China in 2022. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess the correlation between rumination, psychological resilience, and PTG. Structural equation models were used to examine the mediating role of psychological resilience between rumination and PTG. Our study results showed that deliberate rumination directly promoted psychological resilience and PTG and had positive effects on PTG through the mediating effect of psychological resilience. Invasive rumination had no direct effect on PTG. However, it had a negative effect on PTG through the mediating effect of psychological resilience. Together the results of this study indicate that the mediating effect of psychological resilience was significant in the association of rumination and PTG among mobile cabin hospital nurses, with a higher individual psychological resilience level helping nurses to achieve PTG. Therefore, targeted interventions should be implemented to improve nurses' psychological resilience and guide their rapid growth.

"Solidarity and community on our terms and through our lens": Community care and shared trauma for transgender and nonbinary peer supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic

Community support is an essential resource for psychological wellbeing among transgender and nonbinary communities. As the COVID-19 pandemic draws on, the role of community support in managing mental health concerns and the effects of structural inequity becomes increasingly important, yet few studies have focused on this dynamic. The present study examined how six transgender and nonbinary peer supporters understood the COVID-19 pandemic as a unique community crisis through their roles as helping professionals from a reflexive, thematic qualitative approach. The analysis resulted in 4 themes with 13 subthemes: (a) COVID pandemic as a trans-specific crisis;(b) shared membership;(c) healing role of community care;and (d) long-term impacts. Results show how transgender and nonbinary peer supporters undergo complex processes of vicarious traumatization and posttraumatic growth while engaging in peer support with community members, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved as a crisis with unique implications for transgender and nonbinary groups. Findings provide evidence for the need to consider how post-traumatic sequelae develop in response to oppressive experiences, particularly that of gendered-racial marginalization within transgender and nonbinary communities of color, and how post-traumatic processes (i.e., responses to vicarious traumatization, post-traumatic growth) evolve among transgender and nonbinary communities. Implications on how to respond to community care and trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic within trans and nonbinary communities are provided: advocating for additional resources;building awareness around trauma processes;attending to clinical issues stemming from intersectional oppression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This study suggests that transgender and nonbinary individuals who provide emotional support for community members undergo processes of vicarious traumatization and post-traumatic growth. Additionally, the results highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved as a crisis with unique implications for transgender and nonbinary groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Post-traumatic growth experiences of individuals having completed treatment for coronavirus: A qualitative study

In this study, it is aimed that the experiences of post-traumatic growth in individuals treated for coronavirus (COVID-19) are examined. In this research, in-depth individual interviews were carried out with those over the age of 18 years old who had been diagnosed and completed treatment for COVID 19 and agreed to participate to the research. The research was conducted with 16 individuals (22-45 years) who met the research criteria. A phenomenological qualitative research method was used for this study. The data was gathered over the internet-based teleconferencing programs (Zoom, Google Meeting, Skype, etc.) in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The thematic analysis method was used in the data analysis. In consequence of the qualitative data analysis, two categories were obtained as " Effects of COVID-19" and "Post Traumatic Growth." In the category of the effects of COVID-19, three themes and five subordinate themes were established, and in the category of post-traumatic growth, two themes and eight subordinate themes were established. As a result of the research, it was established that the perspectives of individuals who experienced this sickness on life and their self-perception were positively developed, their relationships were strengthened, and the support resources surrounding them positively affected them during the period. The research presents significant experiences with regard to planning and implementing interventions aimed at the factors that promote psychological growth in COVID-19 patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Turkish) Bu calismada, koronavirus tedavisi tamamlanmis bireylerde travma sonrasi buyumeye iliskin deneyimlerinin incelenmesi amaclanmistir. Arastirmada amacli ornekleme yontemi kullanilmis 18 yas uzerinde, COVID 19 tanisi alan ve tedavisi tamamlanan, arastirmaya katilmayi kabul eden bireylerle derinlemesine bireysel gorusmeler gerceklestirilmistir. Arastirma kriterlerini karsilayan 16 bireyle (22-45 yas) calisma gerceklestirilmistir. Bu calismada, fenomenolojik niteliksel arastirma yontemi kullanilmistir. Veriler, COVID-19 yayilmasini onlemek amaciyla internet tabanli konferans gorusme programlari uzerinden (Zoom, Google Meeting, Skype vb.) toplanmistir. Verilerin analizinde tematik analiz yonteminden yararlanilmistir. Nitel verilerin analizi sonucunda "COVID-19'un Etkileri" ve "Travma Sonrasi Buyume" olmak uzere iki kategori elde edilmistir. COVID-19'un etkileri kategorisinde uc tema ve bes alt tema, travma sonrasi buyume kategorisinde ise iki tema ve sekiz alt tema belirlenmistir. Arastirma sonucunda, hastaligi deneyimleyen bireylerin yasama bakis acilarinda, kendilik algilarinda pozitif degisim gelistigi, iliskilerinin guclendigi, surec boyunca etrafindaki destek kaynaklarinin bireyleri olumlu yonde etkiledigi belirlenmistir. Arastirma, COVID-19 hastalarinin psikolojik yonden buyumelerini kolaylastirici etmenlere yonelik mudahalelerin planlanmasi ve uygulanmasi acisindan onemli deneyimler sunmaktadir. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

"What does not kill you mutates and tries again." A study on personality determinants of post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a collective trauma and as a major threat to mental health. Recent literature focused on the stress symptomatology or post-traumatic stress disorder associated to the COVID-19 exposure. The concept that people have a natural inclination toward growth, even under stressful and threatening events, gathered less attention. Previous research has analyzed antecedents of post-traumatic growth (PTG) with non-conclusive results. Methods. The present research aimed at including findings on PTG from personality traits, i.e., sense of control and self-mastery, and distal condition of nurturance and support received by others, i.e., cognitive and affective well-being. Analyses were based on 4934 interviews with adults (Mage = 57.81 years, 55.5% women) from the Swiss Household Panel study. Results. Relationships over time emerged between sense of control and self-mastery on PTG and worries, measured after two years, via the mediation of cognitive and affective well-being. Conclusion. Results come from a large study in a design seldom employed in this type of research and can inform both research and interventions.

Factors Influencing Post-traumatic Growth of Nurses at Nationally Designated Infectious Disease Hospital

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors that affect post-traumatic growth among frontline nurses during a COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study included 187 nurses working in nationally designated infectious disease hospitals as participants. Data were collected from January 11 to March 2, 2021 using structured questionnaires. Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to examine influencing factors of post-traumatic growth. Results: Posst-traumatic growth was positively correlated with traumatic event experience (r=.26, p<.001), post-traumatic stress (r=.32, p<.001), supervisor support (r=.39, p<.001), and colleague support (r=.36, p<.001). Factors affecting post-traumatic growth were emotional support of supervisors (β=.76, p<.001) and evaluative support of colleagues (β=.46, p<.018). Overall, approximately 40.0% of the variability in post-traumatic growth was explained by these two variables. Conclusion: To increase emotional support of supervisors and evaluative support of colleagues, the most influential factors for post-traumatic growth of frontline nurses who fought against COVID-19, a positive culture must be established. This includes horizontal communication, a safe working environment, and securing of appropriate nurse to patient ratio. © 2022 Korean Academy of Nursing Administration

Experiences of Kyrgyzstani Frontline Healthcare Workers during the "Black July” of 2020: a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The peak of the pandemic in Kyrgyzstan occurred in July 2020 with highest infection rates, almost 1000 cases daily, compared to 100 cases prior to this date. The state health system was fatally unprepared to accommodate patients, mobilize medical staff, or provide clear instructions to the population. This study explores personal narratives of healthcare practitioners who were affected by and survived COVID-19 during the "Black July” of 2020 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. METHOD: Healthcare workers (n=10) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Interviews were transcribed then analyzed in accordance with interpretative phenomenological study guidelines. RESULTS: The narratives demonstrated both post-traumatic depreciation and post-traumatic growth, resulting in changes of attitudes, lifestyle, and identity. An important aspect of identity shift included an emerging desire for increased self-care, which was characterized by resistance against a heroic Hippocratic ideal to "to save everybody”. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is perceived as a psycho-socio-cultural phenomenon, which has transformed the identities of healthcare workers in the Kyrgyz Republic. Further research is recommended into developing rehabilitation programs for healthcare workers. © Authors, 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological wellbeing, resilience and post-traumatic growth in adolescent Jewish day school students

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented global challenge in the disruption, uncertainty, and psychological distress it has unleashed on society, with mounting concern regarding mental health and wellbeing. Children and adolescents represent a particularly vulnerable group, as they were forced to navigate the sudden disruption of school and transition to virtual learning, facing months of quarantine, and increases in financial hardships. Given the strong associations between stress and the onset of adolescent emotional difficulties, research examining adolescents' perceptions of the psychological effects of the pandemic is of critical importance and is a focus of the current study. The present study utilized data from a sample of 277 middle-school adolescents in a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school who had resumed in-person schooling after having been schooled remotely during the first surge of the pandemic. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescent psychological wellbeing and life satisfaction. Additionally, the study examined the roles of hope and spirituality as potential protective factors for psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. Bivariate correlations revealed that those who were more impacted by COVID-19 showed significantly higher levels of post-traumatic growth, but lower life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. Higher levels of hope and spirituality were associated with enhanced life satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. The interaction of psychological impact with both hope and spirituality on resilience was also significant, but post-hoc analyses did not follow predicted patterns. Psychological impact tended to be more negatively related to resilience when students had higher levels of hope and spirituality. The current study presented a unique research opportunity to gain insight into the perceived impact of the pandemic on adolescents in Jewish day schools and examine the role of hope and spirituality in relation to adolescent adjustment. The study's findings suggest a need to monitor adolescent mental health closely in the wake of the pandemic and introduce and integrate appropriate interventions within education to support and strengthen adolescent wellbeing and promote thriving. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Trauma-informed workshop for healing couples

This dissertation aims to develop a workshop curriculum focused on resiliency and post-trauma growth in couples. Significant shifts have been seen in work with trauma and couples, from a primary focus on solution-focused conflict reduction to a higher priority on post-traumatic growth and resiliency. In a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy, Wagner et al. (2016) note the importance of future research focusing on post-traumatic growth in treatment due to its positive impacts on relationships. As the world has seen significant levels of stress from the Coronavirus pandemic and, most recently, the war in Ukraine, the need for support for families is high. This project aims to integrate new constructs of couples counseling with trauma-informed approaches. Keywords: workshop, couples, trauma, post-traumatic growth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Post-traumatic growth and perceived social support in young adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: Pandemics would certainly have a negative impact on mental health. Positive modifications as well as negative alterations have been documented in earlier viral pandemic according to previous investigations. Teenagers face a variety of challenges during adolescence. Adolescents may become more concerned if this time coincides with other worries. This study aims to investigate the positive changes that occur in a young adolescent's life after COVID-19 pandemic, and to see how they relate to perceived social support. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on adolescents who were randomly selected from high schools in Kerman, Iran 2020 during the COVID-19. the sample size was 108 and for sampling wes used multi-stage random sampling at the end the data was analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Demographic information, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory short form (PTGI-SF) were used to collect data. The data were subjected to descriptive and analytical statistical tests (Pearson correlation) using SPSS software version 24. Results: Statistically a positive correlation was found between the PTG total score and young homeschooled adolescents, parents working remotely, income loss and COVID-19 experience. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a positive association was found between perceived social support and PTG total scores in young adolescents. There were also substantial positive connections between the MSPSS subscales and the PTGI overall score. Conclusion: Based on the findings, an overall growth in all areas of PTG was observed during the COVID-19 among young adolescents. Perceived social support scores have a positive and significant relationship with COVID-19 effects. In the crises we face throughout life, intimate family members and friends play a significant supporting role in adapting to these situations. © 2023 The Author(s).

The role of leadership in organizational post-traumatic growth

Organizational posttraumatic growth (OPTG) interventions may be the next modern risk management strategy (Winter, 2019). Organizational trauma (OT) includes, but is not limited to, COVID-19, office sexual harassment, mergers, toxic work culture, shootings, and empathic work (e.g., healthcare). This study aspired to fill the knowledge gap on how people in formal leadership roles and workers with leadership duties and functions can help facilitate OPTG. This study explored Individual Health and Wellbeing, Organizational Culture, Leadership Approach, and Meaning-Making as areas for OPTG interventions. Additionally, transformational and servant leadership attributes, burnout, and trauma competency were explored. The results revealed two priority OPTG intervention areas: Meaning-Making (e.g., sense-making from the traumatic experience, new identity) and Leadership Approach (e.g., communication, trust). Pearson correlations resulted in the strongest statistically significant correlations between Empathy and Trust, r = .87, p < .001, and Trust and Improvement and Growth, r = .82, p < .001. Additional significant correlations were between Empathy and survey item 36, "Overall my organization is improving or has improved from having gone through organizational trauma," r = .77, p < .001, and Trust and survey item 36, r = .77, p < .001. One-way ANOVA tests also revealed statistically significant differences in Organizational Culture scores between ethnic groups, F = 3.136, p = .018, and between industry groups, F = 2.292, p = .007, and in Leadership Approach scores between industry groups, F =1.796, p =.043. Hispanic or Latinx respondents disagreed more than White respondents on Organizational Culture (e.g., inclusion, psychological safety), and respondents from manufacturing and education disagreed more on Organizational Culture and Leadership Approach than other industries in the study sample. Significant t-test results revealed that respondents perceiving their organizations as having experienced NON COVID-19 trauma reported to be less likely to experience OPTG. Additional findings suggest that despite most respondents reporting feeling resilient, grateful, optimistic, and competent, they feel worn out at work and require better communication and OT meaning-making initiatives. This researcher hopes to stimulate more OPTG research and inspire university programs to empower today's future leaders with OPTG approaches and industrial/organizational consultants to help leaders facilitate OPTG. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 Patient Psychological Pain Factors.

The level of psychological pain in patients with COVID-19 was investigated in this study by hypothesis testing, one-way ANOVA, multi factor ANOVA, and correlation analysis. The psychological pain thermometer and post-traumatic growth assessment scale were used as research tools. Many factors appear to influence the psychological state of COVID-19 patients including practical problems, communication problems, emotional problems, physical problems, and psychiatric/relative concerns. The severity of the disease, the surrounding environment, family health problems, life perceptions, interpersonal relationships, personal strength, mental changes, new possibilities, and the total post-traumatic growth score are also affected. There is a significant negative correlation between psychological pain and post-traumatic growth. There are significant differences in the degree of psychological pain across the demographic data. Practical problems, communication problems, emotional problems, physical problems, and spiritual/religious concerns show significant effects on the degree of psychological pain.

The influence of deliberate rumination on the post-traumatic growth of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and the moderating role of self-efficacy.

Objective: To understand the relationship between deliberate rumination and post-traumatic growth and the mechanisms affecting this relationship, we constructed an adjustment model to test the impact of deliberate rumination on the post-traumatic growth of college students and the moderating role of self-efficacy during the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. Study design and setting: A total of 881 college students from a university of science and technology in Guangdong Province, China, completed a questionnaire that measured deliberate rumination, post-traumatic growth, and self-efficacy. SPSS (version 26) and the PROCESS plug-in (version 4.0) were used for correlation and moderation analyses. Results: The correlation analysis showed that deliberate rumination was positively correlated with post-traumatic growth (r = 0.353, P < 0.01) and self-efficacy (r = 0.261, P < 0.01). Self-efficacy was also positively correlated with post-traumatic growth (r = 0.466, P < 0.01). In addition, we found that self-efficacy had a regulatory effect on the relationship between deliberate rumination and post-traumatic growth (R 2 = 0.287, P < 0.001) and that this effect was significant. Conclusion: The results show that deliberate rumination can be a positive predictor of post-traumatic growth and can play a certain role in fostering such growth. In addition, self-efficacy is a moderator that plays a buffer role between deliberate rumination and post-traumatic growth. These results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that affect post-traumatic growth.

Post-Traumatic Growth of Nurses in COVID-19 Designated Hospitals in Korea.

BACKGROUND: This descriptive survey aimed to identify the factors affecting the post-traumatic growth (PTG) of nurses in COVID-19 designated hospitals on the basis of a PTG model. METHODS: A survey of 250 nurses working at three COVID-19 hospitals in Seoul, South Korea, was conducted from May to July 2021. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 25 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The participants in this study were mostly women (92.7%), and the average age and career duration were 32.08 and 7.88 years, respectively. The factors that significantly influenced the participants' PTG were identified as marriage, religion, self-disclosure, deliberate rumination, meaning in life, and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: As new infectious diseases emerge, it is necessary to develop a program that can encourage self-disclosure and deliberate rumination, help nurses discover and pursue meaning in life, and enhance their ability to overcome trauma and promote PTG.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic First Wave on Healthcare Workers: A New Perspective from Qualifying PTSD Criterion A to Assessing Post-Traumatic Growth.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and specific traumatic events have been poorly explored in the literature focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers (HWs) tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. In a large sample of Italian HWs, we investigated the kinds of traumatic events and whether PTG affects the risk of PTSD, along with its prevalence and features, during the first COVID-19 wave. COVID-19-related stressful events, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and PTG Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF) scores were collected through an online survey. Out of 930 HWs included in the final sample, 257 (27.6%) received a provisional PTSD diagnosis based on IES-R scores. Events referring to the overall pandemic (40%) and to a threat to a family member (31%) were reported as the most stressful events. Female sex, previous mental disorders, job seniority, unusual exposure to sufferance and experiencing a threat to one's family significantly increased the provisional PTSD diagnosis' risk, while being a physician, the availability of personal protective equipment and moderate/greater scores on the PTGI-SF spiritual change domain were found to be protective factors.

Perceived stress, stress coping strategies, and post-traumatic-growth among healthcare professionals during COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: The purpose of this research was to identify the perceived stress, stress coping strategies, and Post-Traumatic-Growth (PTG) among Iranian healthcare professionals. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was applied. METHODS: This study was conducted among 402 healthcare professionals in northwestern Iran. Participants completed demographic, perceived stress, stress coping strategies, and PTG questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was employed to identify the predictors of perceived stress and PTG. RESULTS: The overall score of perceived stress was calculated 30.55 (6.18). The problem-oriented strategy was the most common stress coping by healthcare professionals (52.66 (8.72)). Also, the total score of PTG was calculated at 45.72 (30.42). Perceived stress, stress coping strategies (except problem-oriented), and PTG scores were significantly different between hospital and health centres participants (p-value < 0.05). Previous experience in critical situations, crisis-related course, degree, age, department, and stress coping strategies were related to the stress level. Moreover, workplace, department, work experiences, and employment status were the predictors of PTG.

"What does not kill you mutates and tries again." A study on personality determinants of post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a collective trauma and as a major threat to mental health. Recent literature focused on the stress symptomatology or post-traumatic stress disorder associated to the COVID-19 exposure. The concept that people have a natural inclination toward growth, even under stressful and threatening events, gathered less attention. Previous research has analyzed antecedents of post-traumatic growth (PTG) with non-conclusive results. Methods. The present research aimed at including findings on PTG from personality traits, i.e., sense of control and self-mastery, and distal condition of nurturance and support received by others, i.e., cognitive and affective well-being. Analyses were based on 4934 interviews with adults (Mage = 57.81 years, 55.5% women) from the Swiss Household Panel study. Results. Relationships over time emerged between sense of control and self-mastery on PTG and worries, measured after two years, via the mediation of cognitive and affective well-being. Conclusion. Results come from a large study in a design seldom employed in this type of research and can inform both research and interventions.

Posttraumatic growth levels of healthcare workers in two periods with different intensities of COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens health-care workers' (HCW) mental health and well-being. Although traumatic life events may result in psychiatric disorders, occasionally they give rise to positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth. Accordingly, the present study evaluated the traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression levels of HCWs and their post-traumatic growth levels during the pandemic. In addition, the study aimed to assess the changes in psychological outcomes during the pandemic. For this aim, the data were collected in two different periods. The first data-collection period was between May and July 2020, and the second period started in November 2020 and ended in January 2021. The sociodemographic data form, Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to collect data. Sixty-six HCWs participated in the study. No significant differences appeared between the baseline scores and 6-month follow-up in the depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress levels of HCWs. Furthermore, the PTGI scores decreased significantly over time. Although the change in the psychological distress scores was not statistically significant, the depression and post-traumatic stress scores increased over time. Previous research specified an inverse-parabolic relationship between traumatic stress and PTGI. Our results support previous research; as the exposure to the stressors continues, individual traumatic stress levels increase, psychiatric disorders become frequent, and affirmative changes (like post-traumatic growth) decline.

Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth in a Sample of United Kingdom Mental and Community Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Experiences of adversity can generate positive psychological effects alongside negative impacts. Little research to date has evaluated predictors of post-traumatic growth in mental or community healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a survey of 854 community and mental healthcare staff in the United Kingdom in July to September 2020, multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between hypothesised risk and protective factors (personal, organisational and environmental variables) and total scores on the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Version. Positive self-reflection activities, black and minority ethnic status, developing new healthcare knowledge and skills, connecting with friends and family, feeling supported by senior management, feeling supported by the UK people, and anxiety about the personal and work-related consequences of COVID-19 each significantly independently predicted greater post-traumatic growth. Working in a clinical role and in mental healthcare or community physical healthcare predicted lower post-traumatic growth. Our research supports the value of taking an organisational growth-focused approach to occupational health during times of adversity, by supporting staff to embrace opportunities for personal growth. Valuing staff's cultural and religious identity and encouraging self-reflective activities, such as mindfulness and meditation, may help to promote post-traumatic growth.

Character strengths sustain mental health and post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought negative and positive changes in the general population, with some people experiencing post-traumatic growth after the first wave. Little research has focused, however, on personal factors potentially helping individuals cope with COVID-related difficulties. This study investigates the relations between character strengths, mental health, and post-traumatic growth. DESIGN: Longitudinal (T1: April 2020; T2: December 2020-January 2021). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 254 Italian adults (54 males; mean age = 36.05, SD = 14.04) completed questionnaires on character and mental health at T1, and on mental health and post-traumatic growth at T2. RESULTS: General mental health was worse at T2 than at T1. Structural equation modelling showed that character, as a whole, had a significant direct effect on post-traumatic growth and mental health at T2, and an indirect effect mediated by post-traumatic growth. Furthermore, regression analyses evidenced that the virtue of transcendence was uniquely related to mental health at T2, while humanity was specifically associated with post-traumatic growth (after accounting for the other virtues). CONCLUSION: Individuals' character strengths related to their mental health and post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with evidence of post-traumatic growth mediating the relation between character and mental health.