Caregivers' psychological suffering and posttraumatic growth after patient death

Purpose This study aimed to identify the association between caregivers' psychological suffering and posttraumatic growth (PTG) after patient death. Design and Methods Participants were a total of 254 caregivers, including nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, and care workers. Findings Higher psychological suffering, in terms of expanding self-consciousness, change of values, and spiritual sublimation, had a positive correlation with PTG. For nurses and nursing assistants, the change of values and spiritual sublimation had a positive correlation with PTG. For social workers, the higher self-consciousness was associated with greater PTG. For care workers, the expanded self-consciousness and lower helplessness had a positive correlation with PTG. Practice Implications These findings will serve as a basis for the development of supportive programs to assist caregivers in improving PTG after patient death.