Posttraumatic growth post lung transplant
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Posttraumatic growth post lung transplant: the role of cognitive processing, distress, social support and resilience
IRAS ID
198067
Contact name
Sarah Airdrie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 4 days
Research summary
With medical and surgical advances, lung transplantation aims to extend patients' life expectancy and significantly improve physical and psychological quality of life. Transplant is also associated with a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is vital to gain an understanding of patients’ experience of positive life changes after this significant life event. This is also known as posttraumatic growth (PTG).
The study aims to explore the role played by PTG after having a lung transplant. A secondary aim is to examine the relationship between cognitive processing, social support and distress on the development of PTG, and the role of resilience in this process. Eligible participants are those who have received (either a single or double) lung transplant, at least a month after surgery and no more than 10 years. Those who are 18 years and under or in the opinion of the supervising medical consultant too physically unwell, cognitively impaired or experiencing major mental health difficulties will not be contacted.
Participants will complete six questionnaires assessing cognitive processing using the Event Related Rumination Inventory (ERRI), distress using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), social support using the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), resilience using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and PTG using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). A smaller number of participants will be interviewed exploring their experiences of having a lung transplant.
Our hypotheses are some participants post transplant will experience PTG and long-term survivors will experience more PTG than short-term survivors. We also predict that cognitive processing, social support and distress play a role in PTG. Moreover, levels of resilience help to explain these relationships.
This study is funded by the University of Southampton, lasting for 12 months, in collaboration with hospital sites and online forums.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0213
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion