Role of Personality Traits and Coping Strategies as Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth in COVID-19 Recovered Patients

The present study was conducted to explore the role of personality traits and coping strategies as predictors of the post-traumatic growth in recovered patients of corona. A sample (N = 111) including men (n = 42) and women (n = 69) recovered patients of COVID-19 with age range of 20-45 years, was recruited through purposive sampling. Following a correlational research design, the personality traits, coping strategies and post-traumatic growth (PTG) were assessed in recovered patients of COVID-19 by using The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, Big Five Inventory, and Ways of Coping Scales- Revised. The results indicated that PTG was positively associated with emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies and three personality traits i.e., agreeableness; conscientiousness, and openness. According to multiple hierarchical regression analysis, three personality traits: Conscientiousness; openness, and agreeableness positively predicted post-traumatic growth (PTG) in recovered patients. Similarly, emotion-focused coping strategies (escape-avoidance, accepting responsibility, positive re-appraisal & distancing) also contributed to the development of post-traumatic growth (PTG). Furthermore, mediation analysis showed that emotion-focused and problem-focused copings have mediated the relationship between personality traits and post-traumatic growth. The findings of the study helped the professionals to identify the factors which contributed in adaptive coping strategies and PTG. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a novel and challenging phenomenon around the globe of 21^st century, therefore, the present results would be helpful for mental health practitioners to address the negative effects to deal with pandemic or any crisis situation and they may use post-traumatic growth as a protective variable which could be used to prepare individuals for any crisis situation.