Exploring Post-traumatic Growth in Parkinson's Disease: A Mixed Method Study

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) may favor the psychological adaptation to chronic illnesses. However, few studies investigated PTG in Parkinson's Disease (PD). This study aims to investigate PTG in patients with PD, by exploring disease-specific features and assessing its impact on distress, well-being, and quality of life. A mixed methodology with a convergent parallel design was used. 54 patients were classified according to their level of PTG (low PTG, medium PTG, and high PTG). PD patients with high PTG showed a more positive psychological adaptation and less distress when compared to patients with less PTG. Forty-nine patients were interviewed and their transcripts were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. The emerged themes confirmed the traditional dimensions of PTG model, but a specific theme connected to a new body awareness was identified. Patients with high PTG were more likely to report positive statements following PD diagnosis, particularly concerning spirituality and maintaining a good physical functioning. PTG presents peculiar characteristics in PD and it may favor a better psychological adjustment following the diagnosis.