scholarly journals Effects of expressive writing and use of cognitive words on meaning making and post-traumatic Growth

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zheng ◽  
Qian Lu ◽  
Yiqun Gan
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Cognitive Process ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stress Regulation ◽  
Presence Of Meaning ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Writing Task

AbstractExpressive writing can enhance cognitive processing and improve stress regulation. Particularly, the use of cognitive words (i.e., insightful and causal words) in writing may be associated with the process of meaning making and promotion of post-traumatic growth (PTG). The aim of the present study was to determine how expressive writing and the use of causal and insightful cognitive words influenced meaning making and PTG during writing. In total, 52 traumatized university students were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two writing conditions involving either an expressive writing task or a neutral writing task. The results showed that participants who engaged in expressive (vs. neutral) writing showed higher scores on the presence of meaning and PTG in the post-writing, self-report questionnaires. Moreover, writing task (expressive or neutral) and frequency of causal and insightful cognitive words were both significant predictors of meaning, which in turn led to high levels of PTG. In conclusion, the use of causal and insightful words might be a fundamental cognitive process for developing meaning in writing, which is essential for our further understanding of meaning making and PTG.

Prospectively Examining the Effects of a Cancer Diagnosis on Patients, Spouses/Partners, and Their Relationship

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-146
Author(s):  
Elaine O. Cheung ◽  
Frank J. Penedo ◽  
Judith T. Moskowitz ◽  
Betina Yanez ◽  
Sheetal M. Kircher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Process Approach ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Perceived Change ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Dyadic Process ◽  
Character Growth

Patients and their caregivers commonly report positive psychological change following the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, a phenomenon referred to as perceived growth. However, most studies have examined patient and caregiver growth as separate, parallel processes, without considering their dynamic interplay or the shared interpersonal context. Furthermore, previous research is limited by cross-sectional designs that use retrospective self-report measures to capture perceived change following cancer, rather than prospective designs to capture actual, measured changes in positive traits such as character strengths (i.e., character growth). This chapter discusses the challenges involved in examining post-traumatic growth in cancer patient populations and the advantages of incorporating a dyadic process approach as opposed to solely focusing on individual-level change. A dyadic process approach will permit examination of whether disclosure, support, empathy, and cognitive processing operate as mechanisms of character growth and will discuss the need for longitudinal data to fully examine post-traumatic growth as a dyadic outcome. To further elaborate on this dyadic approach, the authors propose an expanded theoretical model to delineate the intrapersonal and shared dyadic processes that underlie character and couple growth among cancer patients and caregivers.

scholarly journals How does benefit finding evolve over time among Chinese women breast cancer survivals: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyun Bi ◽  
Huaning Wang ◽  
Guitao Yang ◽  
Cailin Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Active Disease ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objective: Even though the prevalence of benefit finding (BF) has been empirically shown to exist among breast cancer (BC) survivals, how does benefit finding evolve over time remains inadequately investigated. This objective of this study is to examine how BF evolves over time among Chinese breast cancer survivals and determine the demographic, medical and psychosocial factors that can sustain BF increase over time, thus bring about higher level of long-term post-traumatic growth among breast cancer survivals. Methods: Participants were 486 women with different stages of breast cancer (stages I, II and III) followed from completion of primary treatment. Analysis were performed on the data collected at the 3-year assessment during 2014-2019. Participants completed self-report questionnaires of characteristics and benefit finding at six time points with the interval of six months since BC diagnosis. The relationships between demographic, medical and psychosocial characteristics and benefit finding evolution over time were examined using mixed models. Results: Participants reported mixed results on the evolving patterns of benefit finding: 28% reported an upward trend in BF scoring over time, 49% instead reported an downward trend, and the remaining 23% reported no obvious change. Our study has shown that some well-known covariates of benefit finding, e.g. education, income, and social support, are not associated with BF trends. In comparison, levels of spirituality and disease coping at diagnosis can more reliably predict BF evolution over time. Our results strongly indicate that benefit finding can be sustained and increased by encouraging attempts at meaning-making and active disease coping during breast cancer treatment. To our knowledge, this study is among the first to examine trends of benefit finding evolution over time on breast cancer survivals and determine their psychosocial predictors in developing countries. Conclusion: Identifying the sustaining factors of benefit finding in the experience of breast cancer is the key to design psycho clinical solutions for patients’ long-term post-traumatic growth. As time goes by, cancer patients may experience less benefit finding. However, active disease coping and meaning-making by patients can effectively counter this undesired trend and boost their higher long-term post-traumatic growth.

scholarly journals How does benefit finding evolve over time among Chinese women breast cancer survivals: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiyun Bi ◽  
Huaning Wang ◽  
Guitao Yang ◽  
Cailin Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Active Disease ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objective: Even though the prevalence of benefit finding (BF) has been empirically shown to exist among breast cancer (BC) survivals, how does benefit finding evolve over time remains inadequately investigated. This objective of this study is to examine how BF evolves over time among Chinese breast cancer survivals and determine the demographic, medical and psychosocial factors that can sustain BF increase over time, thus bring about higher level of long-term post-traumatic growth among breast cancer survivals. Methods: Participants were 486 women with different stages of breast cancer (stages I, II and III) followed from completion of primary treatment. Analysis were performed on the data collected at the 3-year assessment during 2014-2019. Participants completed self-report questionnaires of characteristics and benefit finding at six time points with the interval of six months since BC diagnosis. The relationships between demographic, medical and psychosocial characteristics and benefit finding evolution over time were examined using mixed models. Results: Participants reported mixed results on the evolving patterns of benefit finding: 28% reported an upward trend in BF scoring over time, 49% instead reported an downward trend, and the remaining 23% reported no obvious change. Our study has shown that some well-known covariates of benefit finding, e.g. education, income, and social support, are not associated with BF trends. In comparison, levels of spirituality and disease coping at diagnosis can more reliably predict BF evolution over time. Our results strongly indicate that benefit finding can be sustained and increased by encouraging attempts at meaning-making and active disease coping during breast cancer treatment. To our knowledge, this study is among the first to examine trends of benefit finding evolution over time on breast cancer survivals and determine their psychosocial predictors in developing countries. Conclusion: Identifying the sustaining factors of benefit finding in the experience of breast cancer is the key to design psycho clinical solutions for patients’ long-term post-traumatic growth. As time goes by, cancer patients may experience less benefit finding. However, active disease coping and meaning-making by patients can effectively counter this undesired trend and boost their higher long-term post-traumatic growth.

MO946THE LEVEL OF POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH LONG TERM DURATION OF GRAFT

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Battaglia ◽  
Luigi Zerbinati ◽  
Michele Provenzano ◽  
Pasquale Esposito ◽  
Michele Andreucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Transplant ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Background and Aims Kidney transplant (KT)can cause a psychological trauma due to changes in self-perception, in interpersonal relationships, and in the philosophy of life. However, the exposure to this traumatic event might lead to not only stress disorders but also positive growth. Primary aim of study was to evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic growth (PTG)in KTRs. Secondary aim was to explore any association between PTG and psychiatric, psychosocial and medical variables, specifically psychiatric diagnoses, demoralization, as well as physical and general problems or symptoms. Method KTRs followed up in a single nephrology Unit, were evaluated. Each patient was individually administered MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0. and DCPR interview to evaluate ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses and DCPR diagnoses. PTG Inventory (PTGI), ESAS-revised, CPC, and DS-IT were given as self-report instruments to be filled in. PTGI was used to investigate positive psychological experience of patients after KT on a 0 to 5-point Likert scale(0=I did not experience this change as a result of my KT;5=I experienced this change to a very great degree as a result of my KT).It consists of 21 items divided in five factors: New Possibilities(NP),Relating to Others(RO),Personal Strength(PS),Spiritual Change(SC),and Appreciation of Life(AL).ESAS-revised, DS-IT and CPC were used to examine the severity of physical and psychological symptoms on a 0 to 10 scale; to measure the severity of demoralization on a 0 to 4 scale and to evaluate the physical and general problems in a yes/no(0–1)format, respectively. Results Data pertaining to 134 out of 143 consecutive outpatients were collected. Clinical characteristics of sample and ranking order of ICD and DCPR diagnoses are shown in Tab.1.Mean score of PTGI total of sample was 52.02 (±20.69).SC(4.26±2.94)experience was markedly lower than RO(16.26±8.18),NP(11.25±5.56),PS(10.91±5.33)and AL(9.77±3.72).PS changes were higher in KTRs with adaption ICD diagnosis(p<0.001);while no SC change was found in KTRs with an ICD diagnosis of mood disorders(p<0.01).DCPR diagnosis of alexithymia and Irritability were associated with low RO score(13.74±6.51 and 13.97±6.95,respectively)(p <0.05).AL subscale was positively correlated with ESAS anxiety symptom and ESAS psychological distress sub-score(p<0.05); and negatively with DS-lT loss of meaning and purpose subscale(p<0.05).Women(57.2±23.07)had higher scores of PTGI than men (49.5±19.04)(p <0.05).No significant correlation was found between CPC problems, blood chemistry and socio-demographic characteristics, including months after transplant. Conclusion This study shows that KTRs had moderate-to-high levels of PTG which did not change after KT overtime. Also, lower RO score was associated with DCPR diagnosis of alexithymia, highlighting the potential ability of PTGI to identify KTRs who need psychological support. Further multicentre studies should be conducted to investigate the positive psychological changes after KT.

Narrative reconstruction and post-traumatic growth among trauma survivors: The importance of narrative in social work research and practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L Jirek
Keyword(s):  
Life Stories ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Personal Narratives ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Life Narrative ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Narrative Reconstruction ◽  
Post Traumatic

A substantial body of theoretical work on meaning-making processes postulates that assisting clients in reconstructing their personal narratives in the aftermath of trauma helps survivors to integrate the traumatic experience into their identities and life stories. However, the relationship between trauma survivors’ (re-)construction of a coherent life narrative and their development of post-traumatic growth (PTG) has rarely been explored. In this study, I conducted life story interviews with 46 university students with trauma histories to examine: (1) How, and to what degree, trauma survivors (re-)construct a coherent life narrative; and (2) If and how this process is connected to the development of PTG. I found that survivors who were able to articulate a coherent story about their lives experienced more PTG, and I identified key characteristics of three stages of post-trauma change. I also found that trauma-related therapy, writing, informal conversations, and self-reflection played important roles in the narrative reconstruction process. I argue that some narratives are easier to reconstruct than others because not all narratives are equally valued in society. The presence or absence of narratives in the discursive environment, the reception these stories receive within society, and the access that individuals have to these narratives are influenced by the historical moment, social norms, politics, power, privilege, and individuals’ social locations. To promote empowerment and social justice, social workers should help trauma survivors to reconstruct their life stories, create spaces for the less-welcomed narratives, and engage in mezzo- and macro-level efforts to address social problems and inequalities.

An Affective-Cognitive Processing Model of Post-Traumatic Growth

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Joseph ◽  
David Murphy ◽  
Stephen Regel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

Wisdom and Meaning in Emerging Adulthood

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Dean Webster ◽  
Nic M. Weststrate ◽  
Michel Ferrari ◽  
Melanie Munroe ◽  
Thomas W. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Presence Of Meaning ◽  
Self Development ◽  
The Relationship

Wisdom and meaning are important developments in emerging adulthood. In two studies, we investigated the relationship between wisdom and meaning using self-report measures (Study 1; N = 298) and narrative coding (Study 2; N = 271). Study 1 supported the hypothesis that the search for and presence of meaning in life were both positively correlated with wisdom. The presence of meaning partially mediated the relationship between wisdom and positive self-characteristics (i.e., optimism and self-esteem). Study 2 extended these results by coding two styles of narrative meaning-making in autobiographical memories of stressful life events. As predicted, wisdom was positively associated with exploratory processing (i.e., deriving lessons and insights) in stressful memories but uncorrelated with redemptive processing (i.e., aimed at positive emotional transformation). Results suggest a possible pathway through which wisdom and meaning influence positive self-development and the importance of styles of narrative meaning-making that differentially predict wisdom.

Meaning Making and Post-traumatic Growth

Journeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 93-130
Author(s):  
Susan L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Collective Efficacy ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Abusive Relationships ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Long Term Survivors ◽  
Construct Meaning

Chapter 4 explores the ways long-term survivors construct meaning from their experiences and how adversity promoted growth. It describes how women exhibit individual and collective efficacy when moving forward from abusive relationships and exert their own agency to structure long-term peace.

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