scholarly journals Post-traumatic growth in the military: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 904-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine M Mark ◽  
Sharon A M Stevelink ◽  
Jeesoo Choi ◽  
Nicola T Fear
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Moderate Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundPost-traumatic growth is defined as positive psychological, social or spiritual growth after a trauma.ObjectivesThis systematic review aimed to identify studies that quantitatively measured post-traumatic growth among (ex-) military personnel, to determine whether there is evidence of growth in this context and whether such growth is associated with any sociodemographic, military, trauma or mental health factors.Data sourcesThe electronic databases PsycInfo, OVIDmedline and Embase were searched for studies published between 2001 and 2017.Study eligibility criteria and participantsPapers were retained if they involved military or ex-military personnel, where some had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.Study appraisalQuality assessment was conducted on all studies.Results21 studies were retained. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory was employed by 14 studies: means ranged from 32.60 (standard deviation = 14.88) to 59.07 (23.48). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory Short Form was used by five studies: means ranged from 17.11 (14.88) to 20.40 (11.88). These values suggest moderate growth. Higher levels of social support, spirituality and rumination and minority ethnicity were most frequently associated with more post-traumatic growth.LimitationsThe involved studies may lack generalisability and methodological quality.ConclusionsOverall, this paper confirms that negative reactions to trauma, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder, are not the only possible outcomes for service personnel, as moderate post-traumatic growth can also be observed.Implications of key findingsInterventions aimed at helping current and former armed forces personnel to identify and promote post-traumatic growth post-conflict may be beneficial for their well-being.

HIV infection associated post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth – A systematic review

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 612-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Sherr ◽  
Navneet Nagra ◽  
Grace Kulubya ◽  
Jose Catalan ◽  
Claudine Clucas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

scholarly journals Association between virtues and posttraumatic growth: Preliminary evidence from a Chinese community sample after earthquakes

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Duan ◽  
Pengfei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indirect Trauma ◽  
Direct Trauma ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

Objective: Relationship, vitality, and conscientiousness are three fundamental virtues that have been identified recently, which are important individual differences to health, well being, and positive development. This cross-sectional study attempted to explore the relationship between the three constructs and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in three directions, including indirect trauma samples without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), direct trauma samples without PTSD, and direct trauma samples with PTSD. Methods: A total of 340 community participants from Sichuan Province, Mainland China involved in the study, most of which experienced Wenchuan and Lushan Earthquake. Participants were required to complete the self-reported questionnaire packages at one time point for obtaining their scores on virtues (Chinese Virtues Questionnaire), PTSD (PTSD Checklist-Specific), and PTG (Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Chinese). Results: Significant and positive correlations between the three virtues and PTG were identified (r = .39 to .56; p < .01). Further regression analysis by stepwise method reveled that: in the indirect trauma samples, vitality explained 32% variance of PTG. In reference to the direct trauma sample without PTSD, both relationship and conscientiousness explained 32% variance of PTG; whereas in the direct trauma sample with PTSD, only conscientiousness accounted for 31% the variance in PTG. Conclusion: This cross-sectional investigation partly revealed the roles of different virtues in trauma context. Findings suggest important implications for strengths-based treatment.

scholarly journals The development of post traumatic stress disorder among secondary school students in borno state Nigeria: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.9) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Zainudin Abu Bakar ◽  
Darma Kabiru Rabiu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
School Children ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Insurgency has long been rooted in the Nigerian society. It affected deeply in the daily activities of the country. Thousands of people including school children have been maimed, displaced, orphaned and killed in Borno and entire North Eastern Nigeria and some other part of North Western Nigeria especially in the state of Kano because of the insurgency. The Boko Haram movement for example have caused enormous chaos within the society especially the school children. The movement have targeted civilian populations irrespective of gender, tribal and religious inclination among people and, the merciless attack and bombings carried out by them including abduction and kidnapping of female students have caused destruction of the school facilities and the well-being of the society. A continuous exposure to such stress created by war resulted the development various difficulties such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among school children. A systematic review was used to critically analyzed the impact of the insurgency in the society based on several related studies. The effect of the insurgency on the society was then highlighted which tells the story of the educational difficulties. 

Abstract P222: Psychological Recovery After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: The Role of Post-Traumatic Growth and Self-Compassion

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M Thorburn
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), a subset of haemorrhagic stroke, is a potentially fatal condition with a mortality rate of approximately 50%. Of those that survive, some 60% will experience ongoing disability and impairment. Forty per cent of remaining survivors will experience what is deemed as a good neurological recovery. Despite good recovery, people have been found to experience negative psychosocial outcomes such as high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression and reduced levels of overall well-being. As a result, aSAH has been viewed as a traumatic life experience with the potential for ongoing psychological sequelae. More recently the literature has identified that traumatic experiences can also elicit an opportunity for growth. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) states that for some people, the experience of trauma may also result in positive psychological gains. PTG has previously been investigated as an outcome after natural disasters and in a range of medical conditions; however, no studies have investigated PTG after an aSAH. A recent study identified that PTG may play a psychologically buffering role after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It is possible that PTG may also play a protective role in recovery after an aSAH; however, this has not been investigated. This study comprised N = 251 adults who had experienced an aSAH, and were recruited from Australia, U.K., U.S.A., New Zealand, and Canada. This study examined whether people who have survived an aSAH experience PTG; if predictors including self-compassion (SC) and social support (SS) influence the development of PTG after an aSAH; and if PTG moderates the relationship between PTSS, and depression and subjective well-being. Regression analyses were utilised to analyse the data. Results showed that people experience PTG after an aSAH; SC predicted PTG; PTG was not found to moderate the relationship between PTSS and either Depression or SWB domains. Supplementary analyses were conducted with SC not a significant moderator between PTSS and either depression or SWB domains. However, SC was found to mediate the relationship between PTSS and Depression and PTSS and SWB domains.

scholarly journals Hardiness Predicts Post-Traumatic Growth and Well-Being in Severely Wounded Servicemen and Their Spouses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T Bartone ◽  
Stephen V Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
World View ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Thousands of military personnel have suffered severe wounds and traumatic amputations in recent overseas conflicts. They face multiple surgeries and long, painful rehabilitation. Despite the tremendous stress for these servicemen and families, many appear to cope quite well and even thrive despite their devastating wounds. Hardiness is a world view or mindset marked by high levels of commitment and engagement in the world, a strong sense of control, and the tendency to see change as a challenge and opportunity to learn and improve. Previous research has shown that military personnel high in hardiness are at lower risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other psychiatric symptoms following combat exposure. This study evaluated the impact of personality hardiness on post-traumatic growth (PTG) and psychological well-being in severely wounded service members and their spouses. Materials and Methods Male volunteers were surveyed while in hospital for severe battle wounds including loss of limbs. All were married, and all spouses also agreed to participate. Participants (N = 44) completed measures of hardiness, PTG, well-being, and neuroticism, and answered a question regarding potential benefits of their experience. Results Hierarchical multiple regression showed that hardiness significantly predicted both PTG and well-being, while controlling for age, education, family income, and neuroticism. Both service members and spouses indicated they experienced benefits in the following areas: strengthened family ties and connections; greater appreciation for and perspective on life; new career and educational opportunities; stronger, more resilient as a person; and formed new relationships, friends, and connections. Conclusion These results suggest that seriously wounded military members and their spouses who are high in hardiness are more likely to experience PTG and psychological well-being following extremely stressful experiences. Hardiness entails positive reframing of negative experiences as opportunities and challenges to overcome, and taking action to solve problems. Training programs to increase hardiness attitudes and related coping skills may thus be beneficial in facilitating healthy adaptation for severely injured patients.

scholarly journals Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder among UK Armed Forces personnel

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Iversen ◽  
N. T. Fear ◽  
A. Ehlers ◽  
J. Hacker Hughes ◽  
L. Hull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundThere is considerable interest in understanding further the factors that increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for military personnel. This study aimed to investigate the relative contribution of demographic variables; childhood adversity; the nature of exposure to traumatic events during deployment; appraisal of these experiences; and home-coming experiences in relation to the prevalence of PTSD ‘caseness’ as measured by a score of ⩾50 on the PTSD Checklist (PCL) in UK Armed Forces personnel who have been deployed in Iraq since 2003.MethodData were drawn from the first stage of a retrospective cohort study comparing UK military personnel who were deployed to the 2003 Iraq War with personnel serving in the UK Armed Forces on 31 March 2003 but who were not deployed to the initial phase of war fighting. Participants were randomly selected and invited to participate. The response rate was 61%. We have limited these analyses to 4762 regular service individuals who responded to the survey and who have been deployed in Iraq since 2003.ResultsPost-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with lower rank, being unmarried, having low educational attainment and a history of childhood adversity. Exposure to potentially traumatizing events, in particular being deployed to a ‘forward’ area in close contact with the enemy, was associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Appraisals of the experience as involving threat to one's own life and a perception that work in theatre was above an individual's trade and experience were strongly associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Low morale and poor social support within the unit and non-receipt of a home-coming brief (psycho-education) were associated with greater risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms.ConclusionsPersonal appraisal of threat to life during the trauma emerged as the most important predictor of post-traumatic stress symptoms. These results also raise the possibility that there are important modifiable occupational factors such as unit morale, leadership, preparing combatants for their role in theatre which may influence an individual's risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Therefore interventions focused on systematic preparation of personnel for the extreme stress of combat may help to lessen the psychological impact of deployment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document