Nonlinear Changes in Facial Affect and Posttraumatic Growth: Assessment of Ecological Momentary Assessment Video Data

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), characterized by newfound meaning, perspective, and purpose for trauma survivors, remains enigmatic in its nature. This state is thought to arise from the dynamic interplay of biopsychosocial factors; however, the nature of this interplay is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between PTG and facial affect dynamics, shedding light on the complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors that underpin this transformative process. We conducted a comprehensive investigation involving 19 wildfire survivors who provided daily self-reported PTG ratings alongside smartphone videos analyzed using Automated Facial Affect Recognition (AFAR) software. Our findings revealed compelling evidence of self-organization within facial affect, as indicated by notably high mean R2 and shape parameter values (i.e., nonlinear indices indicative of structural integrity and flexibility). Further regression analyses unveiled a significant interaction between the degree of facial affect 'burstiness' and coping self-efficacy (CSE) on PTG. This interaction suggested that PTG development was a nuanced process intricately linked to the coherence of emotion patterns exhibited by individuals. These insights illuminate the multifaceted dynamics at play in the emergence of PTG and contribute to a broader understanding of its biopsychosocial foundations.