Between the Sense of Loss and Posttraumatic Growth: The Role of Self-Esteem and Initiator Status

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have suggested that certain protective factors play a role in post-divorce adaptation and result in positive changes. Nevertheless, findings concerning the initiator status and other psychological factors responsible for experiencing posttraumatic growth after divorce remain inconclusive. Our research aims to assess the significance of the sense of loss associated with divorce for posttraumatic growth in divorced women while also accounting for the moderating role of self-esteem and the initiator status. The cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 110 Polish divorced women. Hierarchical regression and three-way interaction analysis were used. Self-esteem and the initiator status moderate the relationship between the sense of loss and posttraumatic growth. The results indicate non-initiators experience less posttraumatic growth owing to the sense of loss and depending on their self-esteem level. The dynamics of self-esteem and divorce circumstances and their importance for growth after divorce were discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Initiator vs non-initiator of divorce
• posttraumatic growth
• self-esteem
• sense of loss
• three-way interaction analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

The data used in the research are available. The data can be obtained by emailing: [email protected]

Ethics approval

The research procedure was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Silesia in Katowice (approval N^o KEUS21/04.2020).

Research involving human participants

Verbal and written informed consent were given by the participants prior testing. The study has been carried out in accordance with The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.