Posttraumatic growth trajectories of couples with gynecological cancer: A longitudinal study

We aimed to describe and compare posttraumatic growth (PTG) levels among gynecological cancer patients and spouses at various time points within one year of diagnosis, as well as to investigate the association, trajectory, and subgroup characteristics of their PTG.

Couples in a longitudinal observational study filled out questionnaires within 1 month of gynecological cancer diagnosis, as well as 3, 6, and 12 months later. A growth mixture model (GMM) was utilized to explore PTG trajectories. Statistical analyses included Spearman rank correlation, chi-square test, nonparametric test, and post-hoc test.

A significant positive correlation was found between the PTG scores of patients and spouses at different times (P < 0.01), with the patients' scores being significantly higher (P < 0.001). Within a year of diagnosis, patients' and their spouses' PTG showed an overall upward trend. The GMM identified three categories for patients' PTG trajectories: high stability (33.7%), decline (19.1%), and low growth (47.2%). Similarly, spouses' PTG trajectories fell into three categories: medium growth (42.8%), decline (8.6%), and low stability (48.6%). Subgroup analysis of patients and spouses with different PTG trajectories indicated significant differences concerning educational attainment, residence location, per capita monthly family income, payment method of patients' medical expenses, and subjective severity of patients' diseases (P < 0.05).

This study represents the inaugural effort to investigate the levels and correlations of PTG between gynecological cancer patients and their spouses from a longitudinal perspective. Furthermore, three distinct trajectories were identified for both partners. Patients and spouses exhibiting different PTG trajectories possess unique demographic and disease characteristics.