A Longitudinal Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth and Quality of Life in Liver Transplant Recipients

Background:What does it mean to adjust to a liver transplant? Quality of life research has offered an impairment model, defining adjustment as the absence of diagnosed psychological disorder or of limitations in physical functioning. Recently emerging research on posttraumatic growth testifies the prevalence of positive life changes following the life-threatening illnesses. The present study aimed to verify the presence of the posttraumatic growth process in liver transplant patients and its relationship with traditional quality of life.Methods:The research was a longitudinally descriptive study. A sample of 233 liver transplant patients were assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy General.Results:Over 50% of patients showed moderate-high levels in all dimensions of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Further posttraumatic growth is correlated with the functional and social dimensions of quality of life construct and not with physical and e...