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Chinese college students’ post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19: a grounded theory study

Author

Listed:
  • Yining Ma

    (College of Education)

  • Hui Wang

    (Zhejiang University of Technology)

  • Hao Chai

    (College of Education)

  • Jian Zhu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Xinyi Lin

    (South China Normal University)

  • Hui Huang

    (South China Normal University)

  • Zaoyi Sun

    (College of Education)

Abstract

During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, both high levels of post-traumatic stress and positive personal changes, a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), were experienced by some people. What remains unknown are the constructs and facilitators of PTG during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study uses a grounded theory methodology to elucidate the behavioral and cognitional dimensions of PTG in Chinese college students. Twenty-four individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with Chinese college students who had positive experiences during the epidemic. Transcripts were analyzed using initial and focused coding to identify themes that explained the PTG model. The coding results revealed that the Chinese college students’ PTG consisted of four core themes: reflections on the country and society, self-awareness changes, increased social behavior, and lifestyle modifications. Additionally, participants described external factors such as information input and patriotism, which were identified as influencing their PTG during the pandemic. Findings from this study extend prior theory and research by conceptualizing a novel theoretical model for PTG among college students during the pandemic and provide important implications for research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Yining Ma & Hui Wang & Hao Chai & Jian Zhu & Xinyi Lin & Hui Huang & Zaoyi Sun, 2024. "Chinese college students’ post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19: a grounded theory study," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-02967-w
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-02967-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jinhua Dou & Chang Liu & Ruoyu Xiong & Hongguang Zhou & Guohua Lu & Liping Jia, 2022. "Empathy and Post-Traumatic Growth among Chinese Community Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Roles of Self-Disclosure and Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Daniel Kahneman, 2003. "Maps of Bounded Rationality: Psychology for Behavioral Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1449-1475, December.
    3. Yanmengqian Zhou & Erina L. MacGeorge & Jessica Gall Myrick, 2020. "Mental Health and Its Predictors during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Alessandro Germani & Livia Buratta & Elisa Delvecchio & Claudia Mazzeschi, 2020. "Emerging Adults and COVID-19: The Role of Individualism-Collectivism on Perceived Risks and Psychological Maladjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Carmelo Vazquez & Carmen Valiente & Felipe E. García & Alba Contreras & Vanesa Peinado & Almudena Trucharte & Richard P. Bentall, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Growth and Stress-Related Responses During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a National Representative Sample: The Role of Positive Core Beliefs About the World and Others," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2915-2935, October.
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