title: The relationship between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Theories of posttraumatic growth suggest that some degree of distress is necessary to stimulate growth; yet, investigations of the relationship between stress and growth following trauma are mixed. This study aims to understand the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  165 AYA patients aged 14-39 years at diagnosis completed standardized measures of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth at 12 months following diagnosis. Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing and regression were used to examine linear and curvilinear relationships between posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant relationships between overall posttraumatic stress severity and posttraumatic growth were observed at 12-month follow-up. However, curvilinear relationships between re-experiencing (a posttraumatic stress symptom) and two of five posttraumatic growth indicators (New Possibilities, Personal Strengths) were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that re-experiencing is associated with some aspects of posttraumatic growth but not others. Although re-experiencing is considered a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder, it also may represent a cognitive process necessary to achieve personal growth for AYAs. Findings call into question the supposed psychopathological nature of re-experiencing and suggest that re-experiencing, as a cognitive process, may be psychologically adaptive. Opportunities to engage family, friends, cancer survivors, or health care professionals in frank discussions about fears, worries, or concerns may help AYAs re-experience cancer in a way that enhances their understanding of what happened to them and contributes to positive adaptation to life after cancer.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Social Work, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zebrack
authors.forename: Minyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salsman
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cousino
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meeske
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Embry
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hayes-Lattin
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescent; posttraumatic growth; posttraumatic stress; psychosocial; young adult