Posttraumatic growth after earthquake: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
PubMed 33611959 · doi:10.1177/0020764021995856
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis across multiple databases (Scopus, PsycInfo, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Ovid, Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and conference proceedings) to evaluate posttraumatic growth (PTG) levels (mean and standard deviation) in individuals exposed to earthquakes. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression evaluated the effects of age (adults vs. children and adolescents), time elapsed since the earthquake (less than 1 year vs. 1 year), and sample size across 21 included studies.
What was found
Across all 21 studies, the pooled PTG level was 41.71 (95% CI: 34.26 to 49.16; I² = 62.44%, p = .000). Adult survivors showed higher PTG (49.47; 95% CI: 42.35 to 56.58; I² = 0%, p = .466) compared to children and adolescents (35.38; 95% CI: 23.65 to 47.11; I² = 69.09%, p < .001). PTG measured at less than 1 year post-earthquake was 59.03 (95% CI: 41.46 to 76.41; I² = 0%, p = .990), compared to 46.04 (95% CI: 34.45 to 57.63; I² = 51.2%, p = .037) at 1 year.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes the psychological adaptation of earthquake survivors, indicating that posttraumatic growth is generally modest, lower in younger populations, and tends to decrease over time.
Limits
The total number of individual participants across the 21 studies is not reported in the abstract. Specific measurement instruments and baseline severity of trauma exposure were not detailed. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was present in the overall pooled analysis (I² = 62.44%) and the child/adolescent subgroup (I² = 69.09%).
Cited by
- contradicts In more than 90% of cases where people endure highly traumatic life events, they experience post-traumatic growth.