title: Centrality of positive and negative deployment memories predicts posttraumatic growth in danish veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to examine theoretically motivated predictors for the development of positive changes following potentially traumatic experiences (i.e., posttraumatic growth). Specifically, we wanted to examine the prediction that memories of highly negative and positive deployment events predict subsequent posttraumatic growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 251 Danish soldiers (7% female, mean age 26.4) deployed to forward operating bases in Afghanistan filled out questionnaires before, during, and after deployment. This allowed us to perform prospective as well as cross-sectional analyses of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main findings were that the centrality of highly emotional memories from deployment predicted growth alongside openness to experience, combat exposure, and social support. Importantly, the centrality of both positive and negative memories predicted growth equally well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perceived importance of both negative and positive events may play an important part in the development of posttraumatic growth.
authors.affiliation: Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University.
authors.forename: Søren Risløv
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Staugaard
authors.forename: Kim Berg
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Yvonne Duval
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertelsen
authors.forename: Dorthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berntsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003718:Denmark; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: centrality of events; combat exposure; posttraumatic growth; prospective study, personality