By applying a cross-lagged autoregressive model, the present study investigates both stability across time, possible time-lagged effects, and the relationship between centrality of event and PTG at 1 and 2 years after the bombing.
The results showed that levels of centrality of event and PTG were stable across time. There was a significant association between centrality of event and PTG both 1 and 2 years after the bombing; however, this relationship attenuated over time.
No time-lagged effects in either direction were found. The present findings are in line with previous findings indicating that centrality of a traumatic event is related to PTG.
However, the present longitudinal data do not support a hypothesis about a long-term causal effect of event centrality on PTG. Rather, the relationship between centrality of event and PTG are concurrent, and attenuates with time.
