Protective and vulnerability factors of posttraumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is a major life event that has brought new challenges and threats. Some people may experience positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Several factors may enhance or hinder this possibility of development. There is extensive literature considering protective and vulnerability factors separately. However, there is a lack of studies considering both factors based on a holistic approach. This study aims to determine the weight of two protective factors (resilience and life purpose) and two vulnerability ones (anxiety and depression) in PTG, considering the COVID-19 affectation. Design and Methods: 749 Spanish people aged 18–84 years old completed a survey that included sociodemographic data, direct/indirect affectation by COVID-19, anxiety, depression, resilience, life purpose and PTG. Path analysis was used to test the predictors of PTG. Results: Women showed higher levels of PTG. The effect of COVID-19 symptoms on PTG is mainly mediated by life purpose, and anxiety to a lesser extent. Two indirect effects were found: (1) the negative effect of depression on PTG through resilience and life purpose assessed simultaneously; (2) the positive effect of resilience on PTG through life purpose. Conclusions:The originality of the approach of this research lies in the integration of vulnerability and protection factors to determine PTG. Identifying protective and vulnerability factors is crucial to prevent the development of mental disorders in risk populations. The development of interventions considering depressive disorders as PTG inhibitors while highlighting life purpose to strengthen mental health is needed.