Post-traumatic growth and its influencing factors in first-episode stroke patients: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the level of posttraumatic growth in first-time stroke patients and to explore its impact on posttraumatic growth.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sampling method was employed to collect data using the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Brief Event-Related Reflection Questionnaire (C-ERRI), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Self-Assessment Scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Symptom Checklist (PHQ-9). From August 2024 to February 2025,166 participants were recruited from a hospital in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, to complete the questionnaires.

RESULTS

PTG was present in Chinese first stroke patients with a mean PTGI score of (61.03 ± 13.92). In the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the dimension with the highest percentile score was “Relating to Others,” while the lowest was “New Possibilities.” Significant predictors of post-traumatic growth included positive coping, negative coping, age, and personality traits.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that patients experiencing their first stroke who employ positive coping and exhibit extroverted personality traits are more likely to achieve significant posttraumatic growth. In contrast, an excessive reliance on negative coping can adversely affect the facilitation of PTG. It is recommended that personalized intervention measures be provided for introverted first-time stroke patients, with the aim of promoting PTG, assisting them in better adapting to the challenges associated with the disease, and enhancing their quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-025-03347-y.