The examination of stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth in the patients diagnosed with Covid-19

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection can profoundly affect patients' lives. Coping with difficult life crises can also lead to increased stress or positive psychological change called post-traumatic growth. This research was conducted to examine the symptoms of stress and post-traumatic growth symptoms in the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). METHOD: The present study, which is in a descriptive design, was conducted with 175 patients who were discharged after being treated in the intensive care units with the diagnosis of COVID-19. The personal information form, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PTDS), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to collect data. RESULTS: The mean score for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms of the participants was 19.18 ± 9.53, and the mean score for Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was 0.86 ± 0.47. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between PTDS and PTGI mean scores (p < 0.001). As the degree of being affected by covid 19 increases, posttraumatic growth and traumatic stress symptom levels increase (p < 0.05). The posttraumatic growth levels increase as the time elapsed after the treatment of COVID-19 increases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that after the traumatic experience (COVID-19), the participants had moderate traumatic stress symptoms, and they overcame this situation by experiencing growth. It is recommended to take preventive measures against the symptoms of stress and support the patients in terms of overcoming this process by getting stronger.