Post⁃traumatic growth and influencing factors in patients with viral encephalitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the status of post⁃traumatic growth of viral encephalitis patients and screen the influencing factors. Methods A total of 110 viral encephalitis patients who were diagnosed and treated in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from July 2017 to July 2019 were investigated. A cross⁃sectional survey were adopted, including general data questionnaire, Post⁃traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Family Concern Index Questionnaire (APGAR) and Connor⁃Davidson Resilience Scale (CD⁃RISC). Correlation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between PTGI score and age, APGAR score or CD⁃RISC score, respectively. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of post⁃traumatic growth in patients with viral encephalitis. Results A total of 110 questionnaires were sent out and 105 were effectively received, with an effective recovery rate of 95.45%. The mean total PTGI score was 57.76±15.23, and the score of dimensions of interpersonal relationship, life perception, personal strength, spiritual change and new possibilities was 16.92±3.49, 12.44±3.20, 11.91±3.50, 8.82±3.48 and 7.67±3.49, respectively. The partial correlation analysis showed that the total PTGI score was positively correlated with APGAR score (r=0.331, P=0.001) and CD⁃RISC score (r=0.286, P=0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher APGAR score (OR=1.260, 95%CI:1.051-1.511; P=0.013) and higher CD⁃RISC score (OR=1.093, 95%CI:1.035-1.153; P=0.001) could positively affect post⁃traumatic growth, while complications (OR=0.029, 95%CI:0.003⁃0.320; P=0.004) was the opposite. Conclusions The status of post⁃traumatic growth of viral encephalitis patients is in the lower level. For patients with complications the psychological intervention should be strengthened. At the same time, family care and personality strength have additional effects on post⁃traumatic growth. We should take targeted measures to encourage such patients to establish better post⁃traumatic psychological regulation mechanism, and to accelerate the post⁃traumatic growth.

doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2021.05.009