Data revealed three profiles at T1: 38.14% expressed negative-moderate feelings.
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Findings revealed a low overall level of posttraumatic growth (PTG) 1 year later.
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PTG scores 1 year later were analyzed according to the affective profiles at T1.
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Individuals with a negative-moderate profile scored the highest on PTG 1 year later.
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Our findings question the time-dependent nature of PTG.
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in major restrictions on daily life that are undeniably detrimental to individual wellbeing. Nevertheless, there may be positive psychological changes over the longer term, particularly in the form of posttraumatic growth (PTG).
Methods
A total of 1075 individuals representative of the French population took part in an online survey during the first lockdown (T1: March to May 2020) and 1 year later (T2). Their affective experiences at T1 were analyzed, together with the development of PTG at T2.
Results
Three affective profiles were identified at T1: one associated with feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms (Loneliness cluster), one with positive feelings (Happiness cluster), and one with rather negative feelings of anger and fear, but also a feeling of happiness (Negative-moderate cluster). PTG was generally low at T2, with the Negative-moderate cluster achieving the highest score.
Limitations
This study was based on an online survey, and an exploratory cluster analysis was conducted. Complementary studies should be conducted to determine the predictive value of our findings.
Conclusions
Within the space of 1 year following the first lockdown due to COVID-19, people living in France, especially those who had experienced a mixture of feelings during lockdown, appeared to develop some form of PTG. Nevertheless, PTG was rather weak overall.
