title: (Re-)defining the self - Enhanced posttraumatic growth and event centrality in stroke survivors: A mixed-method approach and control comparison study.
abstract: Growing evidences highlight the co-existence of negative and positive (e.g. posttraumatic growth) identity changes following stroke. Identity changes were assessed by comparing 42 survivors 21 months after stroke and healthy controls. A total of 26 stroke survivors participated in a semi-structured interview. Stroke survivors showed significantly higher posttraumatic growth (F(1, 75) = 9.79, p = .003) and integrated the critical life event to a higher extent into their identity (event centrality) (F(1, 74) = 37.54, p < .001). Qualitative analysis revealed increased appreciation of life and more intense/selective relationships as the most common positive changes. Considering positive changes might provide additional perspectives for rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany anna.kuenemund@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuenemund
authors.affiliation: Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zwick
authors.affiliation: Philipps-University of Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rief
authors.affiliation: University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Exner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000523:psychology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: control comparison; event centrality; mixed-method; posttraumatic growth; stroke