Reborn after Earthquake: Relationship Between Post-traumatic Growth and Gender, Loss, Marital Status, Coping With Stress and Social Support

This study was carried out to assess the factors that predict post-traumatic growth of the adults affected by the earthquake. The sample consisted of 391 participants. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to determine the variables predicting experiences of post-traumatic growth. Although gender was a significant predictor, there was no significance in its predictive role when analyzed together with coping strategies and social support variables. Death of relatives due to the earthquake significantly predicted post-traumatic growth. In addition, marital status was not a significant predictor when addressed together with demographic variables. However, the findings concluded that being married was a significant predictor when analyzed together with the coping skills and social support variables. Cognitive reappraisal, religious coping strategies and social support were factors that significantly explained post-traumatic growth. Compared to the other variables, social support provided a more significant predictive contribution to explaining post-traumatic growth.