Did we learn something positive out of the COVID-19 pandemic? Post-traumatic growth and mental health in the general population. Issue 1 (10th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Menculini, Giulia; Albert, Umberto; Bianchini, Valeria; Carmassi, Claudia; Carrà, Giuseppe; Cirulli, Francesca; Dell'Osso, Bernardo; Fabrazzo, Michele; Perris, Francesco; Sampogna, Gaia; Nanni, Maria Giulia; Pompili, Maurizio; Sani, Gabriele; Volpe, Umberto; Tortorella, Alfonso
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-10
• Subjects: pandemic -- trauma -- post-traumatic growth -- resilience -- mental health; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.2263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract: Background: When facing a traumatic event, some people may experience positive changes, defined as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Methods: Understanding the possible positive consequences of the pandemic on the individual level is crucial for the development of supportive psychosocial interventions. The present paper aims to: 1) evaluate the levels of PTG in the general population; 2) to identify predictors of each dimension of post-traumatic growth. Results: The majority of the sample (67%, N = 13, 889) did not report any significant improvement in any domain of PTG. Participants reported the highest levels of growth in the dimension of "appreciation of life" (2.3 ± 1.4), while the lowest level was found in the "spiritual change" (1.2 ± 1.2). Female participants reported a slightly higher level of PTG in areas of personal strength ( p < .002) and appreciation for life ( p < .007) compared to male participants, while no significant association was found with age. At the multivariate regression models, weighted for the propensity score, only the initial week of lockdown (between 9-15 April) had a negative impact on the dimension of "relating to others" ( B = −.107, 95% CI = −.181 to −.032, p < .005), while over time no other effects were found. The duration of exposure to lockdown measures did not influence the other dimensions of PTG. Conclusions: The assessment of the levels of PTG is of great importance for the development of ad hoc supportive psychosocial interventions. From a public health perspective, the identification of protective factors is crucial for developing ad-hoc tailored interventions and for preventing the development of full-blown mental disorders in large scale.