Post-traumatic growth in oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as “positive psychological change experienced a result of the struggle with high-ly challenging life circumstances”. Diagnosis cancer leads to many challenges. The recent pandemic forced oncological patients face other multiple stressors. Resilience target interest for PTG. aim this study analyze relationships between trauma, COVID-19 stress, PTG and resilience over time. Participants procedure One hundred forty-six (124 females, 22 males) in active treatment were enrolled from September 2020: 45.2% (n = 66) diagnosed gynecological cancer, 23.3% 34) breast 15.1% 22) lung 16.5% 24) cancers. We conducted prospective longitudinal on evaluated at: diag-nosis (T0), 6 (T1) 12 months (T2) by means following self-administered tests: Distress Thermometer (DT), Hospi-tal Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Impact Event Revised (IES-R), Growth Inventory (PTGI), Perceived Stress (PSS), Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC). Results DT decreased time (T0 vs. T2, p < .001). HADS T0 T2 (p subscales regarding new possibilities appreciating improved comparing .029; .013), well total index .027). IES avoidance subscale score T1, .035). Conclusions For some patients, experience characterized not only distress but also presence positive aspects, such tendency positively reconsider value importance life, health social relationships.