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. 2024 May 16:15:1343264.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1343264. eCollection 2024.

A study on post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth among patients infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan

Jing-Jing Chen #  1   2 , Bing Yu #  3 , Ling Yan  4 , Xiao-Xiao Sun  2 , Qin Dai  2
Affiliations

A study on post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth among patients infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan

Jing-Jing Chen et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the physical and psychological conditions of hospitalized patients who were infected with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) scores and predictors.

Methods: The test group consisted of 102 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan between March 4, 2020 and April 5, 2020, whereas the control group comprised 168 healthy study participants. Relevant information of the study participants was obtained using online questionnaires, covering five aspects-general information, physical state, emotional state, PTSD, and PTG.

Results: In Wuhan, 37.3% of COVID-19-diagnosed hospitalized patients exhibited hyper-arousal symptoms of PTSD. This percentage is significantly higher than the 13.1% observed in the healthy population. Furthermore, the prevalence of PTG among the same group of hospitalized patients stood at 77.5%, surpassing the 66.1% rate found within the healthy population. It was determined that inconsistent sleep patterns during the hospitalization phase could be indicative of heightened vulnerability to hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD in COVID-19-diagnosed hospitalized patients. The study determined that inconsistent sleep patterns during hospitalization may be a predisposition factor that makes hospitalized patients diagnosed with covid-19 more susceptible to high arousal symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Conversely, COVID-19-diagnosed hospitalized patients who maintained a tranquil demeanor and exhibited positive emotional perceptions during their hospitalization displayed reduced susceptibility to these PTSD symptoms. Factors such as possession of a bachelor's degree, history of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infection, and poor sleep patterns were identified as predictors elevating the risk of PTG. Whereas, a sentiment of happiness and consistent positive emotional perception during hospitalization were predictors of PTG. Intriguingly, a direct correlation was established between hyper-arousal symptoms of PTSD and PTG.

Conclusion: Although the outbreak of COVID-19 has badly affected the physical and psychological well-being of patients, it has greatly enhanced their PTG.

Keywords: COVID-19; nursing; physical and psychological conditions; post-traumatic growth (PTG); post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evaluation of PTSD risk factors in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Evaluation of PTG predictors in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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