Post-traumatic stress and growth among CPR survivors in the southeast of Iran

Background Almost 7.2%-10.6% of patients survive CPR in Iran. Most of them experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG). There are limited studies to assessing the correlation between these two psychological outcomes among CPR survivors. Objective This study aimed to examine the correlation between PTSD and PTG among CPR survivors in South-East Iran. Subjects Using Quota sampling, 163 CPR survivors in two provinces in the South-East of Iran were selected to participate in this study. Method A descriptive-correlational study was used to fulfill the aim of the study. The impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for assessing PTSD and Post-traumatic growth questionnaires were used to assess PTG. Results The mean score of PTSD was 39.89 and according to the cutoff point, 87.1% of participants suffered from PTSD. The mean score of PTG was 78.6. PTSD and PTG had significant negative correlation. The result of multi-variate logistic regression showed that only the PTG score predicted PTSD (Odds ratio = 0.79, CI = 0.72-0.87; and p < 0.001). The result of multi-variate linear regression indicated that PTSD, time passed since CPR, and physical disability caused by CPR predicted PTG score significantly. Conclusion This study provides CPR survivors and health care personnel with some valuable insights about cultural aspects of PTSD and PTG among CPR survivors and that PTG is positively influenced by physical disability and time passed since CPR. CPR survivors may gain positive experience and valuable insight in group meetings and discussions with their counterparts.