Post-Traumatic Growth in Women with Breast Cancer: Intensity and Predictors

Justyna Michalczyk, Joanna Dmochowska, Anna Aftyka and Joanna Milanowska
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Justyna Michalczyk: Student Scientific Association, Chair and Department of Psychology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Joanna Dmochowska: Student Scientific Association, Chair and Department of Psychology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Anna Aftyka: Department of Anaesthesiological and Intensive Care Nursing, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
Joanna Milanowska: Chair and Department of Psychology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Experiencing a traumatic situation such as breast cancer can, beside negative consequences, have a positive impact, described as post-traumatic growth (PTG). A factor that facilitates psychological recovery when coping with stressful events is psychological resilience. The aim of the present study was to assess whether PTG occurs in a group of women with breast cancer and whether resilience is a personal trait contributing to its occurrence. The study group comprised 100 women with breast cancer, aged 31–80 years, almost half of whom were aged 61–70 years ( n = 46, 46%). The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (KOP) were used for the study. All women manifested PTG, with a mean intensity of 76.61 ± 13.45 points. The greatest changes were observed in the subjects’ appreciation of life, and the smallest in their relations with others, self-perception, and spiritual changes. The KOP scale measured a mean resilience of 103.80 ± 16.57. The results obtained confirm the co-occurrence of psychological resilience and PTG, especially personal resilience and social competences. Additionally, women subjected to additional traumatic events other than cancer manifested a higher level of PTG.

Keywords: PTG; post-traumatic growth; breast cancer; resilience; trauma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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