Smith, Maree (2010) From Horror to Hope: Temperament, Rumination and Posttraumatic Growth After Life-Threatening Illness. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship of highly sensitive persons’ (HSP) temperament, reflection and brooding rumination with posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD), following a diagnosis of cancer. Previous studies failed to find predicted links behind the second order processes of a personality trait, that is, neuroticism, with PTG, although research suggested neuroticism predisposed individuals to PTSD symptoms. Study 1 consisted of a thematic analysis that revealed high levels of positive coping (both cognitive and behavioural), cognitive posttraumatic growth, and a sense of resolution. While cognitive posttraumatic growth was one of the most frequently endorsed categories, in contrast, behavioural posttraumatic growth was only moderately represented. While not coded, some participants’ narratives suggested key aspects of the HSP temperament that may facilitate PTG: reflection, meaning-making, and an open, complex, cognitive style. Study 2, a quantitative analysis, found that both types of rumination were linked to PTG and PTSD. In particular, reflection was associated with an increased appreciation of life but also in an unexpected direction, with less personal strength. It seems reflection may enhance an individual’s appreciation of their life, but may also make them more aware that they are not as immune to personal misfortune as previously thought, pre-trauma. Interestingly, there was a lack of a relationship between reflection and behavioural posttraumatic growth, which is reminiscent of the moderate levels of behavioural posttraumatic growth found in Study 1. As predicted, reflection was also positively linked to posttraumatic stress.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Quinn, Andrea |
| Qualification: | Master of Psychology (Health) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2026 02:11 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2026 02:11 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52771 |
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