Does time lead to greater growth? Time since loss and posttraumatic growth in a sample of individuals bereaved by suicide.

Melinda Moore, Ph.D. & Christopher W. Drapeau, M.A.College of Social Work, University of Kentucky; Department of Educational Psychology, Ball State University

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) is a construct of positive psychological change that occurs as the result of one’s struggle with a highly challenging, stressful, and traumatic event. Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) conceptualize PTG as a process that occurs closer in time to the traumatic event than farther away. PTG is measured by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI, Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) and produces an overall score, as well as five domain scores.

These five PTG domains are:I) Relating to OthersII) New PossibilitiesIII) Personal StrengthIV) Spiritual Change V) Appreciation for Life

The current study examined the relationship between PTG and the amount of time that elapsed since these individuals were bereaved by suicide, as well as feelings of closeness and relationship levels.

RESULTSRESULTS RESULTSRESULTS

Recently Bereaved (n=72)

Less Recently Bereaved (n=39)

t-test

PTGI M = 47.17, sd = +/-28.25 M = 54.89, sd = +/-26.03 t(73) = 1.17, ns

Recently Bereaved (less than 5 years)

Less Recently Bereaved (5-20+

years)

Total

47.17

54.89

50.00

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG)

PTG Score

No differences between those who were recently bereaved or less recently bereaved

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51 50.17

45.25

49.6 49.6

Posttraumatic Growth, Feelings of Closeness to Decedent, and Relationship Level

Very Close (n=64) Not Very Close (n=12) t-testPTGI M = 50.17, sd = +/-28.12 M = 45.25, sd = +/-26.63 t(74) = .561, ns

Nuclear Family (n=94) Extended Family (n=16)M = 49.60, sd = +/-28.07 M = 49.60, sd = +/-28.70 t(73) = .000, ns

Tedeschi, R.G. & Calhoun, L.G. (1996). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9, 455-471.

Tedeschi, R. G. & Calhoun, L.G. (2004). The foundations of posttraumatic growth: new considerations. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 93-102.

• Contrary to theory, these results suggest that time post-loss does not have an effect on PTG in adults bereaved by suicide•PTG did not differ on feelings of closeness•PTG did not differ on relationship level•Feelings of closeness are related to relationship level•Four PTG domains emerge: Relating to Others, Personal Strength, Spiritual Change, and Appreciation of Life

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSIONMETHODMETHOD

• In the current study, 114 suicide-bereaved individuals were recruited through nationally recognized suicide survivor support organizations, the Suicidology listserv, and snowball sampling.

• Respondents were directed to a website www.posttraumaticgrowth.com where they completed a survey that queried for demographics as well as PTG using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI).

• Individuals of all relationships to the deceased were recruited, including nuclear family, extended family, friends, and co-workers.

• Time post-loss was grouped into five groups: less than five years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, 15-19 years, and more than 20 years.

• Respondents were asked to rate their feelings of closeness to the decedent.

An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare PTG on:• Respondents recently bereaved by suicide (less than 5 years) versus

not recently bereaved by suicide (5 years to 20+ years)• Nuclear Family (spouse, parent, child, sibling) versus Extended

Family (grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin, friend, co-worker)• Those who feel “very close” versus those who are “not very close” A factor analysis was conducted to determine item loadings on PTG domains using Varimax Rotation and Eigenvalue of 1

Item Factor Loadings

Greater appreciation for life (V) .817

Better appreciate each day (V) .752

Greater feelings of self-reliance (III) .723

Better understanding of spiritual matters (IV) .732

Great sense of closeness with others (I) .777

More willing to express emotions (I) .722

I know better that I can handle difficulties (III) .816

I have a stronger religious faith (IV) .752

Four Posttraumatic Growth Domains Emerge

ReferencesReferences