EXAMINING POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH AND EASE AMONG ADULTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE TRAUMA CLUSTER OF HURRICANE DORIAN AND THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE PANDEMIC

The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and ease and examine the relationship between PTG and ease among the Bahamian population who experienced a trauma cluster. A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative design was conducted on the island of Grand Bahama, Bahamas, nearly 4 years after the trauma cluster of Hurricane Dorian and the Coronavirus disease pandemic. A convenience sampling method was adopted, and 208 adult survivors of the trauma cluster completed the survey. The 21-item Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) scale and Ease Measure were used in the assessment of PTG and ease, respectively.
The mean total score for the PTGI was 73.68 (SD = 21.38), and the percentage of individuals with moderate-to-high PTGI scores was 77.4%. A general linear model repeated measures test (within-subjects factor) was used to compare the average total mean scores (range 0–5) of each of the five PTG subdomains. Results revealed there was a significant difference between each of the five subdomains [F(1, 207) = 180.37, p < .001] except for the difference between “appreciation of life” (M = 3.97, SD = 1.11) and “spiritual changes” (M = 3.94, SD =1.32) which had the highest average mean scores followed by “personal strength” (M= 3.73, SD = 1.10) “new possibilities” (M = 3.26, SD = 1.20) and “relating to others” (M = 3.19, SD =1.15). The mean score for ease was 59.72 (SD = 9.25). A Pearson’s correlation revealed there was a significant but weak, positive correlation between the PTGI-total and ease r(206) = .266, p < .001. Further investigation into the relationship between PTG and ease revealed there were no significant findings for PTG according to different sociodemographic characteristics or trauma cluster outcomes. However, there were significant findings for ease according to different age groups and multiple trauma cluster outcomes. Further research is needed to continue to uncover the conditions and approaches that give rise to PTG and ease. The knowledge gained can be used to create interventions to promote positive responses that lead to improved well-being, life satisfaction, and the ability to thrive after these disastrous events.