Abstract
The present study aimed to estimate posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among heart disease
survivors and examine whether PTG moderates the association between PTSS and mental health. Data from 82 myocardial infarction
and acute coronary artery bypass graft survivors (aged 46–82) was obtained at admission to a cardiac rehabilitation unit.
Mental status was assessed by the PTSD Inventory, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Mental Health Inventory and Health
Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). 17.1 % of the participants suffered significantly from PTSS and most of the study sample
(71.2 %) reported PTG. PTSS were positively associated with PTG and psychological distress and negatively with well-being
and HRQOL. PTG moderated the association between PTSS and most mental health outcomes. We conclude that posttraumatic growth
may attenuate the negative effect of posttraumatic stress symptoms on mental health.
survivors and examine whether PTG moderates the association between PTSS and mental health. Data from 82 myocardial infarction
and acute coronary artery bypass graft survivors (aged 46–82) was obtained at admission to a cardiac rehabilitation unit.
Mental status was assessed by the PTSD Inventory, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Mental Health Inventory and Health
Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). 17.1 % of the participants suffered significantly from PTSS and most of the study sample
(71.2 %) reported PTG. PTSS were positively associated with PTG and psychological distress and negatively with well-being
and HRQOL. PTG moderated the association between PTSS and most mental health outcomes. We conclude that posttraumatic growth
may attenuate the negative effect of posttraumatic stress symptoms on mental health.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10880-012-9318-z
- Authors
- Irit Bluvstein, Psychiatric Division, Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 64239 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Liat Moravchick, Psychiatric Division, Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 64239 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- David Sheps, Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 64239 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Shaul Schreiber, Psychiatric Division, Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 64239 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Miki Bloch, Psychiatric Division, Department of Psychiatry, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, 64239 Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Journal Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings
- Online ISSN 1573-3572
- Print ISSN 1068-9583