Personality and Affective Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth Among Vietnam Theater Veterans

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) involves greater appreciation of life, spiritual development, discovery of personal strength, recognition of new possibilities, and close relationships (Kashdan et al., 2011). While PTG has significant clinical and research applications, its association with personality and affective factors remains less explored. There has been very few studies that investigated the effects of personality on PTG. For instance, there is some empirical support regarding the relative contribution of personality factors on PTG among ambulance workers (Shakespeare-Finch et al., 2005). Similarly, while PTSD received a significant interst in relation to PTG, other affective factors such as dysphoria, positive and negative affect were less studied. Therefore, this study examines personality and affective factors as predictors of PTG.

Methods: Vietnam theater veterans age ≥65 years were recruited from the community and various veterans organizations across Western New York. A total of 117 combat-exposed veterans participated in the study with an average age of 69.53 years (median age = 69; range = 65 to 89).  Of the total participants, 76.1% were married or cohabiting and 28.2% had a 4-yr college or higher education.

Two sets of multiple regression analyses were run to examine the predictors of PTG. The first model examined various personality predictors using the Big-5 (John, & Srivastava, 1999): extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Next, an affective model was run examining four predictors: positive affect, negative affect, PTSD, and Dysphoria.

Results: In the personality model, extraversion was significantly associated with PTG (β = 0.41; p < .001). Surprisingly, neuroticism was also positively associated with PTG (β = 0.28; p < .05). Other Big-5 factors, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness did not significantly predict PTG (β = 011, .09, & .12 respectively). In the affective model, positive affect significantly predicted PTG (β = 0.26; p < .01), as was PTSD (β = 0.28; p < .001).  Dysphoria had a significant negative association with PTG (β = -0.26; p < .05).

Implications: Findings from this study has both clinical and empirical implications. From the social work practice, it is important to note that spirituality is a major factor in PTG and can facilitate trauma recovery (Drescher et al., 2007). Therefore, along with social workers, chaplains also has a major role to play in the recovery process. Future research could examine the effect of personality and affective factors from a ecological momentary approach.