Gratitude and Posttraumatic Experience: A Case of Orthopaedic Trauma Patients in Southern Ghana

Abstract

This study explored social constructions of gratitude among orthopaedic patients in Southern Ghana and investigated how gratitude relates to post traumatic experience in this sample. The sequential mixed method was used in this study. Study 1 was a qualitative study where sixteen (N=16) participants took part in an in-depth individual interview on their constructions of gratitude in relation to their experience. Thematic analysis revealed that gratitude emanated from the feeling of love one received from others. Also, gratitude was constructed in relation to appreciation towards the self and one‟s object of religious worship. Study 2 was a quantitative research with one hundred (N=100) participants who were conveniently sampled and completed measures of gratitude, posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress disorder, coping and religiosity. Results revealed a statistically significant relationship between posttraumatic growth and gratitude, religiosity and gratitude. Religiosity and gender moderated the relationship between posttraumatic growth and gratitude but did not moderate the relationship between posttraumatic stress and gratitude. Findings offer a better understanding of the psychological needs of orthopaedic trauma patients and may inform interventions for this group.