Posttraumatic Growth in a Predominantly Hispanic Cohort with a History of COVID-19 Infection

Background: Some who suffer traumatic/adverse life events experience positive change or posttraumatic growth (PTG) from those events. Research suggests that minority populations may experience greater PTG than non-minorities, but factors contributing to these differences are unclear. The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to assess PTG in diverse populations. Objective: To investigate PTG among COVID-19 survivors, compare PTG between Hispanic and non-Hispanic survivors, and ascertain factors that contribute to PTG. Participants and Design: A cross-sectional study of 239 adults with a history of COVID-19 infection were surveyed from December 2020 to September 2021 in San Antonio, TX. PTG was measured by the CAIR Pandemic Impact Questionnaire (C-PIQ), addressing five domains scored on a scale of 0–4: strengthened relationships, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life, with higher scores corresponding to greater PTG. Data related to pandemic-related social determinants of health stressors and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) health status domains were also collected. Multivariable linear regression analysis examined factors associated with PTG, including interactions between PTG scores and Hispanic ethnicity. Results: The sample was predominantly female (69%) and Hispanic (84%). The mean (SD) age was 43.7 (14.7) years, and the mean (SD) time between COVID-19 diagnosis to survey completion was 8.1 (3.2) months. The mean (SD, range) total PTG score for all respondents was 7.7 (4.7, 0–20); Hispanic respondents had higher scores than non-Hispanic respondents (8.1 [4.7] vs 5.7 [4.7]), respectively (p = 0.003). Multivariable regression analyses indicated higher PTG scores were positively associated with Hispanic ethnicity, older age, anxiety, and caring for sick/aging family members and negatively associated with depression (R² = 0.14). Conclusions: Many survivors of COVID-19 infection experience PTG. Hispanic individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection experienced greater total PTG scores than non-Hispanic individuals. Older age, anxiety, and caring for sick/aging family members may contribute to greater PTG.