Trauma Type and Posttrauma Outcomes: Differences Between Survivors of Motor Vehicle Accidents, Sexual Assault, and Bereavement

Abstract

Research examining posttrauma pathology indicates negative outcomes can differ as a function of the type of trauma experienced. Such research has yet to be published when looking at positive posttrauma changes. Ninety-four survivors of trauma, forming three groups, completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Impact of Events Scale-Revised. Groups comprised survivors of (a) sexual abuse, (b) motor vehicle accidents, and (c) bereavement. Results indicated differences in growth between the groups, with the bereaved reporting higher levels of growth than other survivors and sexual abuse survivors demonstrating higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms than the other groups. However, this did not preclude sexual abuse survivors from also reporting moderate levels of growth. Results are discussed with relation to fostering growth through clinical practice.