Objective. To evaluate a predictive model of posttraumatic symptomatology (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTC), which included psychological, pandemic-related, and online classroom-related variables, in higher education students during the pandemic. Method. A total of 552 students participated, 68.5% of whom were women. Instruments were applied to measure different psychological variables. Results. It was established that a model that included intrusive and deliberate rumination, subjective severity, emotional suppression, cognitive reappraisal, social support, adequate space to connect to online classes, and educational attainment significantly predicted PTS. Deliberate rumination, social support, cognitive reappraisal, and age predicted CPT. The relevance of these findings to the academic support that could be provided to students is discussed.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the lifestyles of children and adolescents, with school closures and social isolation affecting their mental health. This study aims to evaluate a predictive model incorporating sociodemographic (age and sex), pandemic-related (infection or death of close ones), and psychological variables (rumination, coping strategies) to predict PTSS and PTG in Chilean youth during the pandemic.Methods: The study included 1,466 children and adolescents from Chile, with 48.6% girls and 51.4% boys, aged 10 to 17 years. Bivariate relationships and hierarchical linear regression models were evaluated.Results: Productive and unproductive coping strategies, intrusive and deliberate rumination, gender, age, and pandemic-related variables, such as the death of a loved one, predicted PTSS and PTG.Conclusions: These findings enhance understanding of factors related to PTG and improve the ability to predict PTSS and PTG in children and adolescents after stressful events. They also inform potential strategies for interventions to mitigate the effects of adverse events on mental health.

Background and Objectives: Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impact individuals and families, particularly in educational settings. School closures and changes in daily routines reduced students’ opportunities for learning and social interaction, affecting their mental health. Caregivers also faced increased responsibilities and stressors. This study aimed to evaluate a predictive model of mental health outcomes—specifically posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG)—in Chilean schoolchildren and their caregivers. Materials and Methods: A total of 489 students (48% female sex; aged 10–17) from educational communities in various Chilean cities participated in the study, along with their caregivers (aged 21–69; 86.5% female), including mothers, fathers, and guardians. Mental health variables were assessed through self-report instruments. Hierarchical linear regression and path analyses were used to evaluate predictive models for PTSSs and PTG in students. Results: The model predicting PTSSs in students was significant. Key predictors included female sex, aggressive behavior, coping strategies such as keeping problems to oneself, cognitive avoidance, and intrusive rumination, and caregiver PTSSs. The model for PTG was also significant, with predictors including active problem-solving, communication, a positive attitude, and deliberate rumination. These results indicate distinct psychological processes underlying negative and positive outcomes following trauma. Conclusions: The findings underscore the complexity of mental health outcomes among school-aged children and the influence of caregiver well-being. The study highlights the importance of supporting both students and caregivers through targeted interventions. Multi-level strategies addressing emotional regulation, communication, and coping mechanisms may foster resilience and psychological growth in educational communities facing the aftermath of public health emergencies.