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.

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.

Effects of Emotional Regulation, Resilience, and Distress Disclosure on Post-Traumatic Growth in Nursing Students.

Nursing students, who need to reflect on self, secure their identity, and be prepared as would-be nurses, can make a good use of post-traumatic growth (PTG) that can function as a catalyst for positive change even amidst this COVID-19 crisis. Emotional regulation strategies in traumatic events are key factors for successful growth, resilience is positively associated with PTG, and distress disclosure is an important factor for stress reduction. In this context, this study is a descriptive research study to identify factors influencing the PTG of nursing students, using emotional regulation, resilience, and distress disclosure as the main variables. Data were collected from 231 junior and senior students of the nursing departments of two universities, and the collected data were analyzed using the t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA, the Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression in SPSS/WIN 26.0. Analysis of the PTG scores of the nursing students by general characteristics revealed significant differences in PTG according to the transfer status, perceived health status, and levels of satisfaction with major, hybrid-learning class, interpersonal relationship satisfaction, and clinical practice. Factors influencing PTG were identified to be resilience, reappraisal among emotional regulation strategies, satisfaction with clinical practice, and transfer, with the overall explanatory power calculated at 44%. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to consider resilience and reappraisal, which is a sub-variable of emotional regulation strategies, in order to develop programs designed to promote PTG of nursing students in the future.

Growth-Related Responses to the Threat of COVID-19 among Adolescents.

The main objective of our study was to determine whether the experience of the types of pandemic threats included in the study, could activate development responses among adolescents and what the role of the level of stress experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic is in the process of post-traumatic PTG growth. We also made an attempt to investigate whether personality traits and gender were predictors of PTG growth in adolescents. Therefore, the theoretical bases for the interpretation of the obtained results are models of post-traumatic growth (PTG), mainly by Calhoun and Tedeschi. The research was conducted in March 2020. The study subjects were 405 adolescents aged 14 to 20 years, with an average age of 17 years, of whom 59% were females and 41% were males. The following methods were used in the study: IPIP-BFM-20 to estimate five personality traits, PSS- to diagnose perceived stress, and an in-house questionnaire of pandemic threats experienced by adolescents (KZP). The results showed that the various types of 'pandemic' threats (threats to life, family, and lifestyle) are positive predictors of growth-related changes; additionally, such factors as personality traits (here: extroversion), stress level, and gender had a positive mediating effect on growth-related changes. It was also possible to show that out of the four dimensions of post-traumatic growth, three could be activated under pandemic conditions. These were: changes in relationships with others, greater appreciation of everyday life, and spiritual changes. Changes in self-perception-one of the dimensions of post-traumatic growth, were not activated due to experiencing three types of pandemic threats.

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.

Changes in Posttraumatic Growth After a Virtual Contemplative Intervention During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of an intervention called "Compassion & Growth Workshops" on reported posttraumatic growth (PTG) using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Expanded (PTGI-X). BACKGROUND: Few studies measure the impact of interventions, such as contemplative practices, on nurse PTG. METHODS: We delivered a series of three 2-hour microretreats to nurses and advanced practice nurses and measured their impact on PTG scores. Using multivariate logistic regression, we identified cofactors predictive of 25% overall improvement on the PTGI-X. RESULTS: Overall PTG increased among participants, with the greatest improvement in relating to others, new possibilities, and personal strength. Posttraumatic growth improved as workshop attendance increased; nurses providing direct patient care also benefitted the most. CONCLUSIONS: Contemplative interventions can substantively improve PTG. This may be particularly relevant for coping with COVID pandemic stress among nurses on the frontlines and for healthcare leaders seeking to strengthen psychological support within their teams and reform the workplace environment.

True grit and brain: Trait grit mediates the connection of DLPFC functional connectivity density to posttraumatic growth following COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in identifying factors to predict posttraumatic growth (PTG), a positive psychological response following traumatic events (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic). Grit, a psychological trait of perseverance and passion to pursue long-term goals, has emerged as a promising predictor for PTG. This study aimed to examine the functional connectivity markers of grit and the potential brain-grit mechanism in predicting PTG. METHODS: Baseline brain imaging scans and grit scale and other controlling measures were administered in 100 normal young adults before the COVID-19 pandemic, and follow-up PTG measurement was obtained during the period of community-level outbreak. Whole-brain correlation analysis and prediction analysis were used to identify the brain regions whose functional connectivity density (FCD) related to individuals' grit scores. Mediation analyses were performed to explore the mediation relation between FCD, grit and PTG. RESULTS: Grit was positively related to FCD in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a core hub implicated in self-regulation and reward-motivation processes. Furthermore, grit mediated the effect of right DLPFC FCD on COVID-related PTG. These results survived controlling for self-control and family socioeconomic status. LIMITATIONS: Our study is limited by only one-session neuroimaging data and self-reported behavioral measures in a sample of normal adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates grit and right DLPFC FCD as neuropsychological contributors for the development of PTG. It deepens our understanding of the neural bases of grit, and may have clinical potential to develop targeted brain interventions aimed at improving grit to raise PTG and mental health during the pandemic.

Empathy and Post-Traumatic Growth among Chinese Community Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Roles of Self-Disclosure and Social Support.

Given the prolonged nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term psychological impacts, this study aimed to explore how empathy leads to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese community workers. Guided by the revised PTG model, this study identified the relation between empathy and PTG using a multiple mediation model that included self-disclosure and social support as hypothesized mediators. This study utilized data from 414 Chinese adults aged 20 years or older who completed an online survey during the pandemic. Self-disclosure and social support were measured as mediating variables. The study variables were positively correlated with PTG. Empathy was positively correlated with self-disclosure and social support. After controlling for demographic covariates, the results indicated that self-disclosure and social support mediated the link between empathy and PTG in both parallel and sequential fashion. Empathy, self-disclosure, and social support played important roles in the growth of Chinese community workers. The present findings have been useful in increasing our understanding, policy programs, and interventions by governments or regional bodies to ameliorate community workers' PTG.

Post-traumatic growth experience of first-line emergency nurses infected with COVID-19 during the epidemic period-A qualitative study in Shanghai, China.

Background: In March 2022, Shanghai, China, was hit by a severe wave of SARS-CoV-2 transmission caused by the Omicron variant strain. The medical staff was greatly infected during this period, which posed a traumatic event for them. Meanwhile, they also experience post-traumatic growth under introspection and positive change. However, the psychological coping and growth after infection with COVID-19 among medical staff have rarely been investigated. Objectives: To explore the process and influencing factors of post-traumatic growth among emergency nurses infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) so as to provide a new perspective and theoretical basis for psychological rehabilitation or intervention for medical staff who experienced traumatic events. Methods: The study used a qualitative design based on the phenomenological approach. A purposive sampling method was used to explore the subjective feelings and post-traumatic growth among 13 first-line emergency nurses infected with COVID-19 in Shanghai, China. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in June 2022. A Seven-step Colaizzi process was used for data analysis. Results: Themes were described and extracted from the experience and insights at different stages during the fight against the virus. Three main themes, i.e., stress period, adjustment period, and growth period, as well as several sub-themes, were identified. Conclusion: First-line emergency nurses infected with COVID-19 are a sensitive group that should be given more attention. Investigating how they achieve psychological adjustment and growth in the case of severe trauma can provide valuable references for nursing management and education in the future. Society, hospital and nursing managers should pay more attention to the PTG of nurses and establish supportive PTG strategies, which will benefit the retention rate and career development of nurses.

Posttraumatic growth related to the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorder.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be detrimental to mental health, it may hold a parallel potential for positive change. Little is known about posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a potential outcome for individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorders following trauma exposure, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 1,424 adults with lived experience of a psychiatric disorder who took part in a longitudinal study of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic conducted by the National Centre for Mental Health. PTG was measured using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF). Factors hypothesized to be associated with PTG were investigated using linear regression. The mean participant PTGI score was 12.64 (SD = 11.01). On average, participants reported the highest scores on items related to appreciation of life and lowest on those related to spiritual change subscale. We found the strongest evidence of associations between higher levels of PTG and higher scores on assessment items related to perceived social support, B = 2.86; perceptions of the pandemic as traumatic, B = 4.89; and higher psychological well-being, B = 0.40. Taken together, we did not observe evidence of widespread PTG related to the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with lived experiences of psychiatric disorders.

Perceived Crisis Management and Post-Traumatic Growth among Chinese Preschool Teachers during COVID-19: Risk Perception as a Moderator.

This study explored post-traumatic growth among preschool teachers during COVID-19 and investigated associations among post-traumatic growth, perceived crisis management, and risk perception. The participants were 2921 Chinese preschool teachers (96.5% women). Teachers' reports of post-traumatic growth, perceived crisis management, and risk perception were analyzed by multivariate techniques. The results revealed that preschool teachers' post-traumatic growth was at an intermediate level, and there was no significant difference in post-traumatic growth by risk level area. Post-traumatic growth was significantly related to risk perception and perceived crisis management, and risk perception appeared to moderate the relationship between perceived crisis management and post-traumatic growth. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the roles of perceived crisis management and risk perception in preschool teachers' post-traumatic growth. Related suggestions for preschool teachers' mental health are discussed.

Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience among Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors: A Gendered Analysis.

The literature on behavioral outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is inundated with mental health burdens such as depression and stress disorders. The current study investigated gender invariance on resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) as positive psychological changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 381 survivors of the COVID-19 infection completed measurements of resilience, PTG, violence and stigma experience, and mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, multivariate regression, and a latent profile analysis. The results revealed that more than half of the participants had high scores on resilience (53.6%) and PTG (60.9%). The positive psychological changes, although independent of each other, were moderated by gender, and influenced by the negative experiences of participants such as stigma, violence, and PTSD. Latent profile analyses revealed three classes of participants, two of which were characterized by high scores on mental health problems and PTG. The clusters were invariant across gender. Surviving COVID-19 contributed to resilience and PTG. These can be targeted for intervention programs to mitigate the mental health burden occasioned by the pandemic.

Correlation Analysis of Positive Therapy Based on High Content Image Analysis Technology on Posttraumatic Nerve Growth in Patients with COVID-19 in the Context of Intelligent Medical Treatment.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the incidence of anxiety, depression, and mental disorders in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia. Methods: Novel coronavirus pneumonia patients in Wuhan from 2020 to April were selected for treatment from hospitals and isolation wards from 1 to April. 70 rehabilitated patients were randomly divided into the control group (35 patients) and the observation group (35 patients) who were treated with conventional therapy. Positive therapy and full perfusion therapy were introduced on the basis of conventional therapy, and the related performances of different patients were observed and evaluated. Results: The anxiety, depression, and incidence rate of related psychotic patients in the observation group after treatment were significantly reduced. Patients could maintain a good mood, increase their confidence in conquering diseases, and promote their early recovery. Conclusion: Active treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia has positive effects on posttraumatic growth of new crown pneumonia patients, relieving anxiety and negative emotions, improving emotional control, eliminating bad emotions, actively guiding patients, and promoting psychological rehabilitation of patients.

Lived experiences, perceived positive outcomes, and post-traumatic growth among parents with children with epilepsy: A qualitative study.

Childhood-onset epilepsy alters the everyday life of parents who have children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE). The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of Greek parents with CAWE, including perceived positive outcomes in their lives, where research in this area is limited. Fifteen parents took part in semi-structured interviews which were conducted online due to the social distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Main results showed that parents with CAWE experience stress, somatic symptoms, mood swings, fear along with feelings of anger, and a sense of injustice. Positive outcomes were identified at a personal level, in parenting skills, and in achieving family cohesion. Parents reported that they had achieved increased personal strength, new perspectives, better life appreciation, and changes in their spiritual beliefs. Moreover, they mentioned the acquisition of new parenting skills which helped them become better caregivers as well as feeling more united with other family members. The changes that parents identified are discussed in relation to aspects of the Post-Traumatic Growth construct, and future recommendations and implications for practice are proposed.

Recovering from COVID-19: psychological sequelae and post-traumatic growth six months after discharge.

Background: Clinical and scientific evidence has shown that a range of long-lasting symptoms can persist in the post-virological period. However, little is known about the psychological sequelae of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety-depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-traumatic growth among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic 6 months after discharge, and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with psychological outcomes. Method: This cross-sectional cohort study enrolled recovered COVID-19 patients during a multidisciplinary follow-up screening. At 6 months post-discharge, participants underwent a remote assessment with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. Results: The sample was composed of 100 patients, mainly males (72%), with a mean ± SD age of 58.7 ± 11.8 years. Regarding psychological symptoms, 34% and 24% of patients, respectively, reported anxiety and depression over the clinical threshold, and 20% met the criteria for a possible PTSD diagnosis. Psychological symptoms were associated with the presence of a mood disorder in the patient's clinical history and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Conclusions: A high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, potentially indicative for a mood or anxiety disorder, and PTSD was confirmed among COVID-19 survivors after 6 months. Anxiety and depressive symptoms and PTSD were associated with a previous diagnosis of a mood disorder and having received psychological consultation. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received psychological consultation. Tailored psychological interventions could help to elaborate the psychological suffering and foster post-traumatic growth after a traumatic experience such as COVID-19 hospitalization. HIGHLIGHTS: A high prevalence of psychological symptoms has been observed among COVID-19 survivors 6 months after hospitalization.Tailored psychological interventions could help to contain the psychological sequelae and facilitate post-traumatic growth.

Antecedentes: La evidencia clínica y científica reciente ha demostrado que una variedad de síntomas duraderos pueden persistir incluso en el periodo post-virológico. Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre las secuelas psicológicas de los pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19.Objetivo: Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la prevalencia de síntomas ansioso-depresivos, Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) y crecimiento postraumático entre pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 durante la primera ola de pandemia seis meses después del alta e identificar los factores socio-demográficos y clínicos asociados con los resultados psicológicos.Método: Este estudio de cohorte transversal inscribió a pacientes recuperados de COVID-19 durante un tamizaje de seguimiento multidisciplinario. A los seis meses del alta, los participantes se sometieron a una evaluación remota con la Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional Mini Plus y completaron la Escala de Depresión y Ansiedad Hospitalaria, la Lista de chequeo-5 para Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático y el Inventario de Crecimiento Postraumático. Se condujeron análisis de regresión y descriptivos.Resultados: La muestra se compuso de 100 pacientes, principalmente varones (72%), con una edad promedio de 58.7 años (DE=11.8). En cuanto a los síntomas psicológicos, 34% y 24% de los pacientes reportaron ansiedad y depresión por encima del umbral clínico y 20% reunía los criterios para un posible diagnóstico de TEPT. Los síntomas psicológicos se asociaron con la presencia de un trastorno del ánimo en la historia clínica del paciente y el haber recibido una consulta psicológica tras el alta. El crecimiento postraumático se asoció con ser más joven y haber recibido una consulta psicológica tras el alta.`Conclusiones: Se confirmó una alta prevalencia de síntomas ansiosos y depresivos, potencialmente indicativo de un trastorno del estado de ánimo y TEPT entre los sobrevivientes al COVID-19 después de seis meses. Los síntomas ansiosos y depresivos y el TEPT se asociaron con un diagnóstico previo de un trastorno del ánimo y haber recibido consulta psicológica. Se encontró que el crecimiento postraumático se asociaba con ser más joven y haber recibido consulta psicológica. Las intervenciones psicológicas "a la medida" podrían ayudar a elaborar el sufrimiento psicológico y fomentar el crecimiento postraumático tras una experiencia traumática como la hospitalización por COVID-19.

The examination of stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth in the patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection can profoundly affect patients' lives. Coping with difficult life crises can also lead to increased stress or positive psychological change called post-traumatic growth. This research was conducted to examine the symptoms of stress and post-traumatic growth symptoms in the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). METHOD: The present study, which is in a descriptive design, was conducted with 175 patients who were discharged after being treated in the intensive care units with the diagnosis of COVID-19. The personal information form, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PTDS), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to collect data. RESULTS: The mean score for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms of the participants was 19.18 ± 9.53, and the mean score for Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was 0.86 ± 0.47. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between PTDS and PTGI mean scores (p < 0.001). As the degree of being affected by covid 19 increases, posttraumatic growth and traumatic stress symptom levels increase (p < 0.05). The posttraumatic growth levels increase as the time elapsed after the treatment of COVID-19 increases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that after the traumatic experience (COVID-19), the participants had moderate traumatic stress symptoms, and they overcame this situation by experiencing growth. It is recommended to take preventive measures against the symptoms of stress and support the patients in terms of overcoming this process by getting stronger.

Risk and protective factors for posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth in parents of children with intellectual and developmental disorders.

Background: Parents of children with intellectual and developmental disorders often experience potentially traumatic events while caring for their children. Heightened posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) have been found in this population. Objective: We aimed to explore risk and protective factors for their PTS and PTG. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 385 parents (average age M = 43.14 years, SD = 7.40; 95.3% mothers). Results: Parenting trauma showed an adverse effect on developing PTS (beta = 0.25, p < .01) and a positive role in promoting PTG (beta = 0.16, p < .01). Social support was protective in its correlation with lower levels of PTS (beta = -0.12, p < .01) and higher levels of PTG (beta = 0.22, p < .01). Barriers to care were associated with increased PTS (beta = 0.23, p < .01), but unrelated to PTG (beta = .01, p = .855). Negative parenting showed a significant, but small, correlation with more severe PTS (beta = 0.11, p < .05), and was unrelated to PTG (beta = -0.09, p = .065). Conclusions: Our study increases the understanding of posttraumatic reactions in parents, predominantly mothers, of children with IDD and identified parenting-related trauma, social support, and barriers to mental health care as predictive factors of the reactions. More research is needed to confirm and validate the effects of the discussed factors. Although causation can not be inferred, prompt and adequate screening and therapeutic resources should be provided to those mothers who were exposed to multiple stressful caregiving events and had limited healthcare access and less support from their spouses, peers, and caregiving partners. HIGHLIGHTS: Parents of a child with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders with parenting trauma had higher posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG).Social support was related to lower PTS and higher PTG.Barriers to care were related to higher PTS but unrelated to PTG.

Antecedentes: Los padres de niños con trastornos intelectuales y del desarrollo a menudo experimentan eventos potencialmente traumáticos mientras cuidan a sus hijos. En esta población se han encontrado un elevado estrés postraumático (PTS por sus siglas en ingles) y crecimiento postraumático (PTG por sus siglas en ingles).Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue explorar los factores protectores y de riesgo para PTS y PTG.Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal con 385 padres (con edad promedio M = 43,14 años, DS = 7,40; 95,3% madres).Resultados: El trauma parental mostró ser un efecto adverso en el desarrollo de PTS (beta = 0.25, p < 0.01) y un papel positivo en la promover el PTG (beta = 0.16, p < 0,01). El apoyo social fue protector en su correlación con niveles más bajos de PTS (beta = −0.12, p < .01) y niveles más altos de PTG (beta = 0.22, p < .01). Las barreras a la atención se asociaron con un aumento de PTS (beta = 0.23, p < 0.01), pero no se relacionaron con PTG (beta = 0.01, p = 0,855). La crianza negativa mostró una correlación significativa, pero pequeña, con PTS más severos (beta = 0.11, p < 0,05) y no estuvo relacionado con el PTG (beta = −0.09, p = 0.065).Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio aumenta la comprensión de las reacciones postraumáticas en los padres, predominantemente madres, de niños con IDD e identificó el trauma relacionado con la crianza, el apoyo social y las barreras para la atención de la salud mental como factores predictivos de estas reacciones. Se necesita más investigación para confirmar y validar los efectos de los factores discutidos. Si bien no se puede inferir causalidad, se deben proporcionar recursos terapéuticos y de detección, rápidos y adecuados, a aquellas madres que estuvieron expuestas a múltiples eventos estresantes del cuidado y tuvieron acceso limitado a la atención médica y menos apoyo de sus cónyuges, compañeros y cuidadores.

Higher Levels of Postnatal Depressive Symptomatology, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Life Satisfaction among Gay Fathers through Surrogacy in Comparison to Heterosexual Fathers: A Study in Israel in Times of COVID-19.

This study aimed to explore the psychological welfare, as indicated by postnatal depressive symptomatology, life satisfaction, and posttraumatic growth (growth after contending with stressful birth events), of Israeli gay fathers through surrogacy in comparison to heterosexual fathers. For that purpose, a sample of 167 Israeli fathers (M = 35.6, SD = 4.4) was recruited (68 identified as gay fathers through surrogacy and 99 as heterosexual fathers). Participants completed questionnaires assessing their postnatal depressive symptomatology, life satisfaction, and sense of posttraumatic growth after becoming fathers. Results indicated that gay fathers through surrogacy reported higher levels of life satisfaction and posttraumatic growth than heterosexual fathers. Yet, gay fathers also reported higher levels of postnatal depressive symptomatology than heterosexual fathers when life satisfaction or posttraumatic growth values were low or medium. The findings were interpreted in light of the hardships associated with cross-border surrogacy and the psychological outcomes associated with succeeding to become fathers after contending with them. The study contributes to the limited literature on postnatal depressive symptomatology and posttraumatic growth among gay fathers through surrogacy and provides clinicians and policymakers with relevant information on the psychological strengths and potential difficulties associated with cross-border surrogacy among gay fathers.