Reports of Stress-Related Growth From Daily Negative Events

Using a daily diary methodology, we assessed meaning-making processes and perceived positive changes in response to daily stressors. Eighty-two undergraduates completed nightly surveys for seven consecutive days reporting on their worst event of the day. Participants' core belief disruption, rumination, and sense of resolution resulting from this worst event were assessed as predictors of daily reports of stress-related growth. The results of multilevel analyses indicated that daily growth was reported as a function of the significant Level-1 three-way interaction involving relatively high levels of daily core belief disruption, rumination, and resolution. Further exploratory analyses revealed a significant four-way interaction that also included dispositional optimism (Level-2), such that the Level-1 three-way interaction was significant only for participants high on optimism. These findings are consistent with the meaning-making and growth literatures but extend relevant processes to the context of daily stressors.