Mediating effect of resilience and intentional rumination in the relationship between trauma experience and post-traumatic growth of social welfare workers

Objectives The purpose of this study was to verify the mediating effects of resilience and deliberate rumination on the relationship between traumatic experiences and posttraumatic growth in social welfare workers. Methods A survey on traumatic experiences, posttraumatic growth, resilience, and deliberate rumination was conducted online for 200 social workers, and the data from 188 people were ultimately used for analysis. Exploratory analysis of the data was conducted using the SPSS 27 program, and mediating effects were analyzed using SPSS 27 PROCESS Macro 4.2. Results The results of this study are as follows. First, there was no significant correlation between traumatic experience and resilience, but there was a positive correlation between traumatic experience and posttraumatic growth, and there was a positive correlation between resilience and posttraumatic growth. Second, there was a positive correlation between traumatic experience and deliberate rumination, a positive correlation between traumatic experience and posttraumatic growth, and a positive correlation between deliberate rumination and posttraumatic growth. Third, there was a significant direct effect from traumatic experience to posttraumatic growth, but the indirect effect of traumatic experience on posttraumatic growth via resilience was not significant. Fourth, deliberate rumination played a complete mediating role in the relationship between traumatic experience and posttraumatic growth. Conclusions The results of this study will provide useful data for understanding social workers’ traumatic experiences and posttraumatic growth, and for resilience and intentional reflection.