Long-term post-traumatic growth after natural disasters: A scoping review of contextual influences

Abstract

Abstract Social work is invested in supporting positive change for individuals and communities grappling with natural disasters within a changing climate. This scoping review investigated the extent, range and nature of longitudinal research examining contextual influences on experiences of post-traumatic growth (PTG) following a natural disaster. Literature searches of four databases were conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 to identify thirty-two longitudinal studies. Thematic analysis identified themes relating to the impacts of contextual factors on experiences of individual growth, across relational, social, structural and time dimensions. The quality and quantity of relational and social support were found to be significant in facilitating growth; these findings have important implications for social work practice in disaster recovery, which utilises a person-in-environment lens to strengthen the contextual resources that support positive changes. Other contextual factors that may influence PTG, including structural, cultural and time factors, remain understudied. In advocating for a critical person-in-environment approach, social work is uniquely positioned to move beyond existing individualistic conceptualisations and contribute a more holistic understanding of growth to enhance future disaster recovery interventions.