The Association Between Group Identity and Post-Traumatic Growth in the Post COVID-19 Era: The Mediating Effect of Social-Emotional Competence

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the impact of human-society relationships on individual post-traumatic growth (PTG) in the post COVID-19 era, this study examined the association between group identity (GI) and PTG, and explored the mediating role of social-emotional competence (SEC).

Patients and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 1203 high school students in an eastern region of China using the GI Scale, the SEC Scale, and the PTG Scale. We conducted correlation and mediation analyses using SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS software.

Results

The results indicated that GI was a significant positive predictor of PTG (β=0.219, p<0.001), and that the pathway between GI and PTG was partially mediated by SEC (Effect=0.074, 95% CI= [0.045,0.104]).

Conclusion

GI can have both direct and indirect effects on PTG, with the latter mediated by SEC. These findings hold important theoretical and practical implications for promoting PTG and enhancing mental health in the post COVID-19 era.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• human-society relationship
• mental health
• mediation model

Data Sharing Statement

The dataset supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available from the corresponding author upon request.

Ethics Approval

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Zhejiang Normal university (Code NO.: ZSRT2023056). The study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. All the participants were asked to read and sign an informed consent form.

Acknowledgments

We are truly grateful to the teachers who helped us distribute the questionnaires and to the participants who volunteered to fill out this study questionnaire.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by The National Social Science Fund of China (BAA180017).