The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among nurses in Gaza Strip
Date
2012-05-28
Authors
Nader Ashraf Shamia
نادر اشرف شامية
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to examine types of traumatic events and the relationship
between posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among nurses in Gaza
Strip.
Method: The researcher used descriptive analytic study design, using revised tools such as
socio-demographic status questionnaire, traumatic events checklist, posttraumatic stress
disorder checklist, and posttraumatic growth inventory.
Sample: The study sample selected by using stratified cluster random sample, which
consisted of 274 nurses, who are working in "MOH 216 (79%), military medical services
14 (5%), UNRWA 27 (10% ), were private sectors 17 (6%)", Whereas the males were 143
(52.7%) and the females 131 (47.3%).
Results: Nurses reported a mean number of 8.76 traumatic events. The prevalence of
trauma among nurses was; 23.4%(64) have mild trauma, 43.1%(118) have moderate
trauma, and 33.6%(92) have severe trauma. The most frequently reported traumatic events
of nurses were "seeing pictures of death and injured people" 94.1%, "seeing dead people
while they are in work" 78.4%, "seeing demolishing of your neighbors home by tanks"
63.5%.
The mean PTSD items were 22.66, and 19.7% of sample met the criterion for a diagnosis
of PTSD. Where mean of the intrusion 8.03, the avoidance is 8.39, the hyperarousal 6.47.
Nurses reported a mean PTGI score of 48.1, which considered moderate to great degree
(M=48.1, total range 0–84), mostly in the domain of spiritual change 76.7% , and personal
strength 61.8%. Top three most frequently reported growth experiences were "I believe
more strongly in God" (82.6%), "I understand spiritual matters better" (70.3%), and "I
discovered that I am stronger than I thought I was" (67.1%).
There was statistically significant relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and
posttraumatic growth, traumatic events, intrusion, and avoidance.
There was no statistically significant difference among the means of posttraumatic growth
according to age (p =0.298), gender (p =0.604), social status (p =0.088), place of residence
(p =0.557), educational level (p =0.107), income (p =0.200), place of work (p =0.280),
years of experience (p =0.394), and training courses (p =0.066).