The Research Desk
PTSD and posttraumatic growth coexist in patients with an intestinal stoma, with specific symptoms bridging both experiences.
Network analysis of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among patients with an intestinal stoma.
- Resilience
- Growth
Jiangenuer, L., Wang, X., Tuerdebieke, W., Aihemaitiniyazi, S., Liu, C., Xu, Z., Zhang, X.
In plain language
This study delves into the psychological experiences of patients with an intestinal stoma, focusing on the coexistence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Using network analysis, researchers identified key symptoms that play central roles in these psychological states, as well as symptoms that potentially bridge PTSD and PTG, providing insights into how these experiences are interconnected.
The study involved 416 patients from hospitals in China and used standardized questionnaires to assess PTSD and PTG. The findings highlight specific symptoms that are central to the psychological experience of these patients, which could inform clinical practices aimed at fostering psychological growth while managing trauma-related distress.
Key findings
- The symptom 'Blaming yourself or someone else for the stressful experience or what happened after it' was central in PTSD.
- The symptom 'A better understanding of spiritual matters' was central in PTG.
- Bridge symptoms linking PTSD and PTG included 'Trouble falling or staying asleep' and 'My priorities about what is important in life'.
- The network model showed acceptable stability and accuracy.
- Findings suggest specific symptoms could be targets for clinical interventions.
Why it matters
This research is significant for human wellbeing as it highlights the dual nature of trauma, where distress and growth can coexist, and identifies specific symptoms that could be targeted to enhance psychological resilience and growth in patients with serious health conditions.
Try this today
For individuals or caregivers dealing with trauma and growth, understanding that spiritual understanding and reassessment of life priorities play crucial roles may guide personal or therapeutic strategies to foster growth while managing distress. Clinicians might focus on these areas to support patients' psychological wellbeing.