title: Posttraumatic growth in individuals with amputations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studying positive outcomes post-amputation is an important area of research in order to help individuals recover with the optimal quality of life possible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the understudied population of individuals with amputations. Our main aim was to assess the effect of gender, veteran status, age, and time since amputation on PTG. Our secondary aim was to examine the role support group participation on PTG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six adults with amputations completed an online survey consisting of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and free response questions about experiences with support groups. T-tests and correlations were the main statistical analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no gender differences in PTGI scores. Veterans had significantly lower PTGI scores than civilians, t(64) = 2.63, p < 0.05, Cohen's d = .41. Age was negatively correlated with PTGI score, r = -.27, p < 0.05. Participants who indicated consistent engagement in a support group had significantly higher PTGI scores than participants without support group engagement, t(64) = 3.49, p < 0.01, Cohen's d = .89.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Veterans may be a specific population to target for PTG. Support groups appear to be a venue associated with higher levels of growth.
authors: Medical Humanities Department, Davidson College, Preyer 114, P.O. Box 7135, Davidson, NC 28035, USA. Electronic address: lastutts@davidson.edu.
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Stutts
authors: Davidson College, P.O. Box 7135, Davidson, NC 28035, USA.
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Stanaland
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067073:Psychological Trauma / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adjustment; Amputation; Posttraumatic growth; Support group; Trauma