Perceived Benefit and Mental Health After Auto Crashes

          Principal Investigator: Curtis McMillen, Ph.D.
          Funder: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (1 R55 MH 58743)
          Timeframe: Funded 9/98-8/02
          Affiliation: Center for Mental Health Services Research (CMHSR)

Project Staff:  Carol North, MD, MPE, Investigator
                        Ed Spitznagel, Ph.D., Statistician
Participating Organizations:  Barnes-Jewish Christian (BJC) Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Project Contact:  Curtis McMillen, Ph.D.
                             (314) 935-7517
                             cmcmille@wustl.edu

Project Update as of 03/07/2008:
Stage: Project completed

Description:
    This study tested emerging theory about the perceived benefit phenomenon, the process by which those who have experienced traumatic events report benefit and growth as a result of their experiences. Prior research has identified these perceptions of benefit as protective of long term health and mental health. Compared to other protective factors identified in trauma research, these perceptions of benefit are accessible and alterable, offing considerable interventions based on these concepts. This study tested several propositions using path models and a sample of motor vehicle crash survivors recruited from a major teaching hospital. Through this research we hope to improve understanding of the role of perceived benefits in coping and adaptation processes and inform research and theory on resilience, PTSD, and health promotion. Studies of motor vehicle crash survivors are needed because two million Americans sustain serious injuries in automobile crashes each year, and rates of PTSD are comparable to rates found in other traumatically exposed groups.

 
Publications:

McMillen, J.C.  (1999).  Better for it: How People Benefit from Adversity.  Social Work, 44, 455-468.

McMillen, J.C., Fisher, R.H.  (1998).  The Perceived Benefit Scales: Measuring perceived positive life changes after negative events.  Social Work Research, 22, 173-187.

McMillen, J.C., Smith, E.M.  (1997).  Perceived benefit and mental health after three types of disaster.  Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 65, 733-739.