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. 2016 Apr;41(3):290-7.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv091. Epub 2015 Sep 30.

Profiles of Resilience and Growth in Youth With Cancer and Healthy Comparisons

Rachel Tillery  1 , Katianne M Howard Sharp  1 , Yuko Okado  2 , Alanna Long  2 , Sean Phipps  3
Affiliations

Profiles of Resilience and Growth in Youth With Cancer and Healthy Comparisons

Rachel Tillery et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Inconsistent links between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in youth following a stressful life event have been observed in previous literature. Latent profile analysis (LPA) provides a novel approach to examine the heterogeneity of relations between these constructs.

Method: Participants were 435 youth (cancer group=253; healthy comparisons = 182) and one parent. Children completed measures of PTS, PTG, and a life-events checklist. Parents reported on their own PTS and PTG. LPA was conducted to identify distinct adjustment classes.

Results: LPA revealed three profiles. The majority of youth (83%) fell into two resilient groups differing by levels of PTG. Several factors predicted youth's profile membership.

Conclusions: PTS and PTG appear to be relatively independent constructs, and their relation is dependent on contextual factors. The majority of youth appear to be resilient, and even those who experience significant distress were able to find benefit.

Keywords: childhood cancer; growth; life events; posttraumatic stress; profiles; resilience.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Latent profiles of children’s PTS and PTG. Note . PTS = posttraumatic stress symptoms; PTG = posttraumatic growth; RLG = resilient, low growth; RHG = resilient high growth; D = distressed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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