Relationships between psychopathological and demographic variables and posttraumatic growth among Holocaust survivors

The relationship between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, anxiety, and vulnerability, as well as demographic differences in growth was examined in a group of 23 Holocaust survivors. The posttraumatic growth aspect of spiritual change was found to correlate positively and significantly with the PTSD symptom clusters of intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Numerous demographic variables were also found to relate to posttraumatic growth including survivors' age during the Holocaust; the nature of their Holocaust experiences; and whether they were ever alone, without family, during their Holocaust experiences as well as survivor support group membership