Personal growth initiative and posttraumatic stress among survivors of transportation accidents: Mixture modeling indicating changes in group membership over time

The current study explored subgroups in reported personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and examined the changes in class memberships among survivors of a transportation accident. Participants at Time 1 were 602 adults who reported directly experiencing a transportation accident within the past year (Mmonths = 6.36; SDmonths = 3.20). Of these participants, 171 adults completed the follow-up survey after 3 months (Time 2). Finite mixture modeling was conducted to identify the heterogeneity of PTSS in relation with PGI at each time point. At Time 1, a four-class model was the best-fitting model, and at Time 2, a three-class model was the best-fitting model. As hypothesized, when examined cross-sectionally, various subgroups were identified at each time point, finding subgroups with moderate to high levels of PGI but differing in their PTSS. However, when examining the longitudinal changes in class membership from Time 1 to Time 2, members of subgroups with higher PGI skills at Time 1 were more likely to be assigned to subgroups with lower PTSS at Time 2. The current study suggests a potential application of PGI skills in alleviating PTSS after a transportation accident and having a critical role in adjustment after hardship

Exploring patterns of personal growth initiative and posttraumatic stress: A latent profile analysis

Objective: This study examined the inconsistent relationship found between personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) by exploring potential subgroups. In addition, after identifying the subgroups, potential predictors of these subgroups were examined. Participants: Participants were 534 undergraduate students who experienced a potentially traumatic event (PTE). Data collection occurred from March 2013 to December 2014. Methods: Because this was a preliminary study, archival data was used. Participants consisted of students who experienced a PTE within the past three years. Results: Latent profile analysis indicated a five-class model as the best-fitting model. Direct exposure and intentionality of the event were significant predictors of class membership; length of time since event and gender did not predict class membership. Conclusions: The current study provides a potential explanation of the inconsistent results between PGI and PTSS and also highlights the importance of acknowledging subgroups when utilizing PGI after a PTE

Coping flexibility and trauma appraisal predict patterns of posttraumatic stress and personal growth initiative in student trauma survivors.

Exposure to a potentially traumatic event is not uncommon among college students, and following a traumatic event, college students cope and experience stress in heterogeneous patterns. The purpose of the current study was to (a) identify the patterns of personal growth initiative (PGI; Robitschek et al., 2012) skills and posttraumatic stress symptoms among college students who experienced a potentially traumatic event and (b) examine potential predictors (i.e., coping flexibility and stress appraisals) of membership in these different groups. Participants were 656 college students who experienced a traumatic event within the past 5 years. Data collection occurred from April 2016 to January 2017. Finite mixture modeling was conducted to identify the patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms and PGI skills. Coping flexibility and stress appraisals (i.e., threat, challenge, centrality, and present control) were used as predictors of membership in the groups displaying these patterns, statistically controlling for demographic and trauma characteristics (i.e., gender, age, months since trauma, number of types of trauma, directedness, and intentionality). Three distinct patterns were identified. Coping flexibility and stress appraisals were significant predictors of group membership. This study highlights the complex interrelationship of PGI skills and posttraumatic stress responses and identifies benefits of assessing coping flexibility and perceptions of the potentially traumatic event when working with trauma survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved