Posttraumatic Growth in a Nursing Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND – Few studies have assessed posttraumatic growth (PTG) in nursing populations during the pandemic. Literature is mixed regarding the moderating effect of support. The study's purpose was to evaluate the impact of negative occupational experiences (NOE) on posttraumatic growth and the potential moderating role of various supports among a sample of nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS – A self-report longitudinal survey was sent to nursing staff within a large health system. Only baseline data (Fall 2022) were analyzed for this study. Linear regression modeling was used. RESULTS –816 nursing staff participated. After adjusting for covariates, NOE and organizational support were associated with a moderate increase in PTG. Resilience was found to moderate the relationship between NOE and PTG in a simple interaction model. CONCLUSION – Given the association between NOE and PTG, fostering PTG in the context of occupational stress may be important to preserving mental health among nursing staff.