title: Post-traumatic growth in stomach cancer survivors: Prevalence, correlates and relationship with health-related quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as positive psychological changes experienced as a result of struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. Interest in PTG has increased in cancer survivorship care; however, little is known about PTG among stomach cancer survivors. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of PTG, and to identify relationships between PTG and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional descriptive design. In total, 122 stomach cancer survivors were recruited from one university hospital in South Korea. Measurements included the Korean version of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General Population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over half (53.3%) of the participants experienced moderate to high levels of PTG. 'Change of self-perception' was the most common growth domain, followed by 'relating to others', 'new possibilities' and 'spiritual change'. Older age, low socio-economic status (i.e. low education level and low monthly income) and lack of religion were associated with lower levels of PTG. Survivors with higher levels of PTG had better social/family well-being (P < 0.001) and better functional well-being (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological interventions to enhance PTG may have a positive effect on impaired HRQOL among stomach cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Yun
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Whee
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hwasoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: soohyun@inha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soo Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012649:Self Concept; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Post-traumatic growth; Quality of life; Stomach neoplasms