Factors influencing posttraumatic growth among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients: A path analysis

Abstract

Aims: Based on Calhoun and Tedeschi's posttraumatic growth model, this study aimed to establish a path model of posttraumatic growth among nurses who provided care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and to examine the associations between the relevant variables. Background: There are increasingly many studies examining the psychological health status of nurses caring for patients on the front lines of COVID-19. However, research results showing the effects of various variables affecting nurses' posttraumatic growth through positive psychological transformation are insufficient. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a sample of 229 nurses who cared for COVID-19 patients for more than 1 month in South Korea from April to May 2021. Results: The fitness of the modified path model (χ2 = 1.380, p = .502, GFI = 0.99, CFI = 1.00, NFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.00 and TLI = 1.01) was higher than that of the hypothesis path model (χ2 = 124.133, p < .001, GFI = 0.85, CFI = 0.66, NFI = 0.65, RMSEA = 0.36 and TLI = 0.15). Deliberate rumination had directly influenced posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder and social support had a direct and indirect effect on posttraumatic growth. Self-disclosure indirectly influenced posttraumatic growth through deliberate rumination but was not significant. Conclusions: In order to improve posttraumatic growth of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, it is necessary to provide and support opportunities for self-disclosure. Implication for Nursing Management: The results of this study can help institutions and nurse managers comprehensively understand the factors affecting posttraumatic growth of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in the front lines and determine basic strategies based on the importance of these factors.