OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) describes positive change resulting from challenging life events. The current study examined factors associated with PTG in traumatically injured patients 1 year postinjury.
METHOD: Participants (N = 221) in this prospective cohort study included adults admitted to a Level I trauma center. Over half the participants (60%) were male, with a mean age of 47. Participants completed baseline measures during hospitalization. PTG was assessed at 12-month follow-up.
RESULTS: Greater PTG was associated with minority race/ethnicity, lower income, automotive collision, and premorbid psychological disorder other than depression or posttraumatic stress (PTS). These variables are also known to predict PTS in trauma patients. Analysis confirmed that greater PTS at follow-up was associated with more growth.
CONCLUSION: Participants with the most growth also experienced the most distress. This finding demonstrates the importance of implementing psychological screening and intervention for trauma patients in the acute care setting to reduce PTS and facilitate growth.