Agreement Between Self- and Proxy-Reports of Nurses’ Post-Traumatic Growth in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: Is Perceived Growth a Reality or an Illusion?

Abstract

The extent to which a traumatic event becomes central to one’s identity and life story may influence both negative and positive outcomes. In the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, nurses have been showing positive transformations. However, research is not consistent about whether self-reported personal growth is real or just an illusion. The present study aimed to ascertain the level of agreement between nurses’ self- and proxy-reported post-traumatic growth (PTG). Furthermore, it intended to analyze the association between nurses’ perceived centrality and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and their self-/proxy-reported PTG. The global sample included 51 dyads. Nurses completed self-reported instruments to evaluate perceived centrality and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, as well as PTG. A proxy version of the PTG Inventory was used to assess significant others’ appraisals of nurses’ PTG. Overall, there were no differences between self- and proxy-reports of PTG, except for spiritual change. Nurses’ perceived centrality of the pandemic outbreak and impact of event were associated with self-reported PTG. Centrality and impact of the COVID-19 were not significantly correlated with proxy-reports of PTG, except for personal strength. Despite the considerable variability in the observed findings depending on the statistical analysis conducted (i.e., group versus individual level), the corroboration of nurses’ reports of PTG by significant others lends strong support to the notion that positive transformations after traumatic events are real. These findings highlight the relevance of integrating both positive and negative dimensions of adaptation when constructing psychological interventions for nurses, in the aftermath of COVID-19 outbreak.