Post-traumatic Growth in the First COVID Outbreak in Hong Kong.

Front Psychol

Centre on Behavioral Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.

Published: September 2021

AI Article Synopsis

  • This study examined post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Hong Kong citizens during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in spring 2020, following a significant social movement.
  • Researchers conducted a longitudinal online survey with 327 participants, revealing that 28.4% showed signs of probable PTSD at the outbreak's peak, while 18.0% experienced notable PTG later on.
  • The findings indicated that PTG was influenced by a combination of high stress levels and a strong sense of coherence, suggesting that both coping resources and stress experiences are crucial for PTG to occur, alongside flexible risk perceptions as the situation evolved.

Article Abstract

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) emerges from highly stressful situations. The coronavirus (COVID) pandemic may qualify as one. This study investigated the PTG among Hong Kong citizens during the first outbreak in spring 2020, shortly after a large-scale social movement subsided. A longitudinal online survey was launched during the peak (Time 1) and the palliation (Time 2) of the outbreak. Among the 327 participants who completed both waves, 28.4% exhibited probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Time 1, while 18.0% reported significant PTG in at least one domain in Time 2. The interaction between the sense of coherence (SOC) and post-traumatic stress mediated the relationship between Time 1 perceived outbreak severity and Time 2 PTG, such that PTG was more likely among participants with higher post-traumatic stress and SOC. PTG was also associated with a weaker contingency between Time 1 and Time 2 perceived outbreak severity. Echoing the transformational model, our findings show that both experienced stress and coping resources are essential for PTG to emerge. We also demonstrated how PTG might lead to more flexible risk perceptions according to the development of the outbreak.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8481897PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675132DOI Listing

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