Nurses' Pandemic-Driven Posttraumatic Growth Experiences and Their Satisfaction with Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABS TRACT Objective: Nurses all over the world have been reported to show high infection rates, extreme fatigue, psychological distress, and mass trauma during the pandemic. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is an important life trauma, may also contribute to psychological growth. This study was conducted to determine nurses' pandemic-driven posttrau- matic growth experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on satisfaction with life. Material and Methods: The study sample consisted of 517 nurses. The data were collected online between April 13 and June 13, 2021, by using the descriptive information form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results: The mean scores of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale were 51.66±18.97 and 11.44±8.94, respectively. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory score of those who had lost a relative from COVID-19 was higher than those who had not. Having a family member with a history of COVID-19, providing care for patients with COVID-19, and working in the COVID-19 unit were effective factors in the mean scores of the Satisfaction with Life Scale. A weak, positive, significant, and linear relationship was found be- tween the Satisfaction with Life Scale and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Conclusion: This study revealed that the pandemic affected nurses' posttrau- matic growth and satisfaction with life negatively and that there was a positive relationship between posttraumatic growth and satisfaction with life.