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(Re-)defining the self - Enhanced posttraumatic growth and event centrality in stroke survivors: A mixed-method approach and control comparison study

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Journal of Health Psychology: An Interdisciplinary, International Journal

Published online on

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.