Search

Abstract Objective: Stress stemming from practical or financial obstacles is among the top sources of stress for college students. The current study examined if one new positive psychological strength factor, personal growth initiative, functioned as a buffer to protect young adults’ life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression from practical stress. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 353, age range 18–23, 73.9% female) at a public university. Method: Participants were recruited through classes and on campus via flyers and completed self-report surveys online. Results: Personal growth initiative significantly moderated the relation between practical stressors and life satisfaction. Specifically, the negative effect of practical stressors on life satisfaction decreased as personal growth initiative levels increased. Practical stress significantly predicted anxiety and depression, though no significant interactions were identified in this model. Conclusion: Overall, results highlighted the protective function of personal growth initiative for life satisfaction in the context of practical stressors faced by young adults in college. Implications and future directions for research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the inconsistent relationship found between personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) by exploring potential subgroups. In addition, after identifying the subgroups, potential predictors of these subgroups were examined. Participants: Participants were 534 undergraduate students who experienced a potentially traumatic event (PTE). Data collection occurred from March 2013 to December 2014. Methods: Because this was a preliminary study, archival data was used. Participants consisted of students who experienced a PTE within the past three years. Results: Latent profile analysis indicated a five-class model as the best-fitting model. Direct exposure and intentionality of the event were significant predictors of class membership;length of time since event and gender did not predict class membership. Conclusions: The current study provides a potential explanation of the inconsistent results between PGI and PTSS and also highlights the importance of acknowledging subgroups when utilizing PGI after a PTE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the extent to which personal growth initiative (PGI) may predict posttraumatic stress and growth in student service members/veterans (SSM/V). Participants: Participants were 136 SSM/V (79% men) representing multiple branches of the armed forces. Forty-four percent of participants reported having combat experience. Methods: Data collection occurred from October 2013 to February 2014. Data were collected via a Web-based survey that included demographics and measures of personal growth initiative, posttraumatic stress, posttraumatic growth, and perceived social support. Results: Results indicated that PGI is not a unique predictor of posttraumatic stress but is a unique predictor of higher levels of posttraumatic growth. PGI appears to be at least as important as perceived social support in facilitating growth in SSM/V. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence for PGI's potential to facilitate growth after a traumatic event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]