The role of rumination in occurrence of posttraumatic positive changes in people struggling with cancer

Introduction: Among determinants of posttraumatic growth the essential role play cognitive processes, including event related rumination. The study aimed to establish whether in people struggling with cancer there is an association between the level of rumination and the severity of posttraumatic growth.

Material and methods: Results of 71 persons with various kinds of cancer, aged 19-67 years (M = 48.63, SD = 12.71). The majority of respondents (60.6%) were women. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and the Event Related Rumination Inventory were used in the study.

Results and conclusions: The results indicated the presence of posttraumatic positive changes in examined group. Major changes related to relations with others and appreciation of life than self-perception and spiritual sphere. Both types of rumination (intrusive, deliberate), analyzed soon after the diagnosis of cancer were positively linked to the level of posttraumatic growth. Taking into account the current rumination, only deliberate significantly correlated with the level of posttraumatic growth. This type of rumination proved to be a predictor of positive changes in relations with others and appreciation of life. Encouraging people struggling with cancer to ruminate may contribute to occur of growth after trauma.