The Co-occurrence of Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in cancer survivors from a network perspective

Resumen

A cancer diagnosis is a stressful life event that can lead to posttraumatic reactions. The two most common posttraumatic reactions in cancer survivors are posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). PTSD represents the negative changes and PTG the positive changes resulting from the process of adapting to cancer. The PTSD, PTG and combined PTSD-PTG network structure with bridge nodes were estimated in 696 adult cancer survivors. The most central indicators in the PTG network were putting more effort into relationships, the ability to do better things with one’s own life and a greater sense of closeness with others. The most central symptoms in the PTSD network were being jumpy or startled and cancer-related flashbacks. Hypervigilance (PTSD symptom), knowing better that one can handle difficulties and changing priorities about what is important in life (PTG indicators) were identified as the nodes that link PTSD and PTG. In the cancer survivors with lower and higher levels of PTG, PTSD network structure, and the PTG strength of centrality indicators were different. In addition, PTSD and PTG were linked through different bridge nodes. This supports the hypothesis that PTSD and PTG are related differently in people with low and high PTG. The network approach can bring new insight into understanding the negative and positive posttraumatic reactions and their co-occurrence in cancer survivors.

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Cómo citar (APA 7)

Baník, G., Dědová, M., & Vargová, L. (2022). The Co-occurrence of Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in cancer survivors from a network perspective. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/et7y9