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Post-traumatic growth in PhD students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors :
Allison K. Tu
Juliana Restivo Haney
Kathryn O'Neill
Akshay Swaminathan
Karmel W. Choi
Hyunjoon Lee
Jordan W. Smoller
Vikram Patel
Paul J. Barreira
Cindy H. Liu
John A. Naslund
Source :
Psychiatry Research Communications, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 100104- (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Elsevier, 2023.

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, graduate students have faced increased risk of mental health challenges. Research suggests that experiencing adversity may induce positive psychological changes, called post-traumatic growth (PTG). These changes can include improved relationships with others, perceptions of oneself, and enjoyment of life. Few existing studies have explored this phenomenon among graduate students. This secondary data analysis of a survey conducted in November 2020 among graduate students at a private R1 University in the northeast United States examined graduate students' levels and correlates of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students had a low level of PTG, with a mean score of 10.31 out of 50. Linear regression models showed significant positive relationships between anxiety and PTG and between a measure of self-reported impact of the pandemic and PTG. Non-White minorities also had significantly greater PTG than White participants. Experiencing more negative impact due to the pandemic and ruminating about the pandemic were correlated with greater PTG. These findings advance research on the patterns of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic and can inform future studies of graduate students’ coping mechanisms and support efforts to promote pandemic recovery and resilience.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
27725987
Volume :
3
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Psychiatry Research Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.77318f77ad7840ca8f8e98d40789b7df
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psycom.2023.100104