Cognitive processing and posttraumatic growth after stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether posttraumatic growth (PTG) after stroke is associated with cognitive processing and psychological distress and whether time since stroke moderates relationships between these variables.


METHODS
A sample of stroke survivors (N = 60) completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Cognitive Processing of Trauma Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.


RESULTS
PTG correlated positively with four indicators of cognitive processing (i.e., positive cognitive restructuring, downward comparison, resolution, and denial) and negatively with depression. Time since stroke moderated a number of these relationships. As length of time since stroke increased, the relationships between PTG and anxiety and depression became more negative and significant, and the relationships between PTG and downward comparisons and resolution became more positive and significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate the possibility of PTG after stroke and suggest that cognitive processing is an important process for engendering such growth.
Gangstad
Berit
B
Clinical Psychology Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Norman
Paul
P
Barton
Jane
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation