Posttraumatic Growth, Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care Unit Survivors

Authors

• Kelly Calkins, Marquette UniversityFollow
• Abigail C. Jones, Vanderbilt University
• Maharaj Singh, Marquette UniversityFollow
• Felicia Plebanski, Marquette University
• Jill L. Guttormson, Marquette UniversityFollow
• Leanne M. Boehm, Vanderbilt University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2026

Publisher

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Source Publication

American Journal of Critical Care

Source ISSN

1062-3264

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2026251

Abstract

Background

Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors often report poor physical health, cognitive dysfunction, and mental health sequelae (post–intensive care syndrome). However, critical illness and the associated treatments in ICUs can also lead to posttraumatic growth, defined as positive changes in life philosophy, relationships, and personal growth attributed to the process of gaining understanding and making sense of a traumatic event.

Objectives

To characterize posttraumatic growth in ICU survivors.

Methods

This secondary data analysis explored the in-hospital factors linked to posttraumatic growth 6 months after discharge and assessed the relationship of posttraumatic growth to anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, global mental health, and physical health. To explore relationships among the variables, Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess linear associations between pairs of continuous variables. Predictors of posttraumatic growth and their extent of association were determined using a general linear model.

Results

The strongest associations observed with posttraumatic growth were a positive correlation with posttraumatic stress disorder (r = 0.32, P = .01) and weak positive correlations with anxiety (r = 0.11, P = .42) and depression (r = 0.12, P = .35). Notable in-hospital predictors of posttraumatic growth were mechanical ventilation (P = .04), educational level (P = .02), and age (P = .01).

Conclusions

Understanding positive outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth, is important for the recovery and long-term outcomes of ICU survivors and for planning and developing interventions.

Comments

American Journal of Critical Care, Vol. 35, No. 3 (May 2026): 216-223. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Calkins, Kelly; Jones, Abigail C.; Singh, Maharaj; Plebanski, Felicia; Guttormson, Jill L.; and Boehm, Leanne M., "Posttraumatic Growth, Anxiety, Depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Intensive Care Unit Survivors" (2026). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 1278.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/1278