The association between prosocial behavior and posttraumatic growth among caregivers for seriously ill patients: A mediation model

This study examined the association between prosocial behavior and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese caregivers of seriously ill patients, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and deliberate rumination. A total of 232 caregivers (79 males, 153 females) completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Social Support Rating Scale, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Regression and mediation analyses showed that prosocial behavior was positively related to PTG. Both social support and deliberate rumination significantly mediated this relationship in parallel. These findings suggest that prosocial behaviors have a positive effect on PTG among caregivers for seriously ill patients. This direct effect, as well as the mediating effect of social support and deliberate rumination, suggests both social context and cognitive pathways to facilitate PTG among caregivers.