Personality Traits, Childhood Trauma, and Alexithymia role in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth Symptoms Following COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc in clinical psychology, Department of Psychology, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate professor of clinical psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Professor of clinical psychology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30491/tm.2024.432360.1676

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the role of personality traits, childhood trauma, and alexithymia in PTSD and PTG symptoms in patients with COVID-19.
Methods: Data for 156 persons (including 131 females and 25 males) who recovered from COVID-19 were collected using NEO inventories, the childhood trauma questionnaire, the Toronto alexithymia scale, the Mississippi Scale for PTSD, and the PTG inventory.
Results: PTG symptoms were significantly and positively associated with personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness). The PTSD symptoms were positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively associated with agreeableness and conscientiousness. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between emotional neglect and PTG symptoms. PTSD symptoms were seen to be positively and significantly correlated to the four dimensions of childhood trauma (p < 0.001). Finally, the most significant predictors of PTSD were symptoms including alexithymia (β = 0.38) and the physical abuse trait of childhood trauma (β = 0.259). PTG symptoms could be best predicted by conscientiousness (β = 0.2) and extraversion traits (β = 0.196).
Conclusion: The variables including alexithymia, personality traits, and childhood trauma can be used to decrease the adverse effects of trauma and increase positive psychological symptoms in our patients.         

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Trauma Monthly
Volume 28, Issue 6
November and December 2023
Pages 984-993

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 05 February 2024

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