A longitudinal study of post-traumatic growth and rumination in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal...

To examine the longitudinal trajectories of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and event-related rumination among patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and to explore the dynamic associations between intrusive/deliberate rumination and PTG using a parallel process latent growth curve model.

A total of 195 CAPD patients were followed over a 12-month period with assessments at four time points (baseline, 2nd, 6th, and 12th month). PTG and rumination were measured using the Chinese versions of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and the Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Parallel process latent growth curve modelling was applied to examine individual trajectories and inter-relationships over time, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.

Both PTG and rumination showed an initial decline from baseline to the 2nd month, followed by a slight increase through the 12-month follow-up. Intrusive rumination at baseline negatively predicted the slope of PTG, suggesting that higher initial IR levels were associated with a slower improvement in PTG. Education level was negatively associated with baseline PTG, and older age was positively associated with baseline IR. Deliberate rumination did not significantly predict PTG trajectory.

The findings reveal dynamic trajectories of PTG and rumination among CAPD patients and highlight intrusive rumination as a negative predictor of long-term psychological growth. Longitudinal monitoring and targeted cognitive interventions may support adaptive adjustment in this population.