Domains Of Posttraumatic Growth Research Articles

Posttraumatic growth in American and Japanese men: Comparing levels of growth and perceptions of indicators of growth.

Recent studies indicate that cross-cultural differences exist in posttraumatic growth (i.e., positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with a highly stressful life event). This study examined how the experiences and perceived indicators of posttraumatic growth varied between American and Japanese men. Based on the posttraumatic growth (PTG) theoretical model, it was hypothesized that American men would report higher PTG than Japanese men, and PTG would vary by the type of event experienced. In addition, this study tested the hypothesis that some indicators of change would be rated as more representative of growth in American men than in Japanese men. American and Japanese men completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) based on their most stressful experience from the past five years and rated how each of the items in the PTGI was indicative of personal growth by using the modified PTGI. Results indicated that American men scored higher on the total PTGI and on three out of five domains of PTG. PTGI scores also varied by the type of event experienced. In the appreciation of life domain of the PTGI, for example, those who lost a loved one reported higher growth than those who experienced injury or severe illness and those who experienced financial or academic problems. PTGI items and domains that were considered to be most indicative of growth differed between American and Japanese men. Suggestions for future research and the potential implications of attending to differences in perceived indicators of PTG are considered.

Perceiving benefits after adversity: The relationship between self-reported posttraumatic growth and creativity.

Anecdotal and scientific evidence has documented the existence of a relationship between the experience of adversity and creativity. Accounts of the challenges endured by creative individuals suggest that they may have been able to channel their negative experiences as sources of inspiration and motivation for their work. Increased creativity may therefore constitute a manifestation of posttraumatic growth, defined as retrospective perceptions of positive psychological changes that take place following experiences of highly challenging life circumstances. To investigate this hypothesis, the present study tested whether scores on a measure of posttraumatic growth and depreciation related to scores on self-reported measures of creativity in the aftermath of adversity. Results of a path analysis showed that adversity-induced distress predicted self-reported creative growth and breadth in a sample of online participants. Cognitive processing (intrusive/deliberative rumination) as well as domains of posttraumatic growth/ depreciation—in particular, self-reported changes in interpersonal relationships and in the perception of new possibilities for one’s life—mediated the link between self-reported distress and creativity outcomes. This study is the first focused investigation showing that self-reported posttraumatic growth may be manifested through perceptions of increased creativity.

Is the Holocaust Implicated in Posttraumatic Growth in Second‐Generation Holocaust Survivors? A Prospective Study

With the growing interest in posttraumatic growth (PTG), and the ongoing debate on the implications of transgenerational transmission of trauma, this longitudinal study examined PTG among Holocaust survivor offspring following their own exposure to trauma. Using self-report questionnaires, we assessed PTG over time in middle aged (age: M = 53 years) Israeli male combat veterans of the 1973 Yom Kippur War whose parents were (n = 43) and were not (n = 156) second-generation survivors of the Nazi Holocaust at 2 time points: 30 and 35 years following the war (in 2003 and 2008). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and trauma exposure were also assessed in 1991. We hypothesized that second-generation survivors would report more PTG than controls. However, repeated measures design revealed that the second-generation veterans reported less PTG than veterans who were not second generation, which was evident in the PTG domains of relations to others, personal strength, and appreciation of life. Our findings suggest that transmission of trauma from one generation to the next is possibly implicated in the offspring's propensity for growth following subsequent trauma. Future research is warranted to examine the link between transmission of trauma and positive outcomes following trauma.

Bereavement, religion, and posttraumatic growth: A matched control group investigation.

This study examined the intersection between bereavement, religion, and posttraumatic growth (PTG). A total of 369 young adults completed the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (Fetzer Institute/NIA, 1999) and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996), divided equally into three groups: one bereaved by a violent loss (accident, suicide, or homicide) in the prior two years, one bereaved by a nonviolent death in the prior two years, and a third, nonbereaved group that experienced a general life stressor in the two years preceding the study. Individuals in the two bereaved groups generally endorsed greater religiousness when compared with persons in the nonbereaved group (as assessed by daily spiritual experiences, organizational religiousness, religious coping, forgiveness, and religious support). In addition, survivors who had lost loved ones to a violent death had higher scores across all domains of PTG and reported more distress symptomatology. When controlling for demographics and other study variables, bereavement status and religion factors significantly increased the explained variance in participants’ perceptions of PTG and psychological distress. Although the study design restricts the ability to draw any causal conclusions, these findings highlight the possible spiritual impact of bereavement and how specific dimensions of religion can contribute to growth and healing in the adjustment process.

The Relationship Between Internalised HIV-Related Stigma and Posttraumatic Growth

This study investigated the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG), an improvement in functioning as a trauma outcome, and internalised HIV-related stigma (IHRS), the acceptance of societal devaluation by a person living with HIV. Cross-sectional data were gathered from 56 males and 18 females infected with HIV, recruited though five HIV-support agencies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Multiple regression analyses revealed that (A) IHRS was associated with poorer outcomes in the PTG domains associated with veridical growth, (B) mode of transmission of HIV was associated with outcomes in all PTG domains, with the least stigmatised mode of transmission being associated with the greatest degree of growth, and (C) resilience was significantly and positively associated with outcomes in two domains of PTG. The results highlight the relevance of stigma for clinicians wishing to promote growth among those living with HIV. Clinical implications, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.

Post-traumatic growth among elderly women with breast cancer compared to breast cancer-free women

Background. Although breast cancer (BC) may have negative psychological sequelae, it may also be experienced as an existential challenge, which can derive personal growth. Only one study has been conducted, however, on whether women with BC experience more post-traumatic growth (PTG) than BC-free women. We examined PTG in women with and without BC and whether the characteristics and treatment of BC were associated with PTG. Material and methods. We used data from the questionnaire administered in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort and included 774 women with BC and 666 randomly sampled BC-free women aged 63–81 years. PTG was measured with the PTG inventory, for which the women identified their own traumatic or life-changing event. Linear regression was used to compare PTG in women with and without BC and to examine the association between BC characteristics and treatment and PTG. Results. Although women with BC experienced significantly more PTG in the domains ‘appreciation of life’ and ‘relating to others’ compared to BC-free women, no statistically significant difference in overall PTG was observed according to BC status, indicating that PTG is not limited to women with BC. Tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, having undergone mastectomy and having received endocrine treatment were positively associated with overall PTG and/or specific PTG domains, implying that the severity of disease plays a role in the development of PTG. Conclusion. In order to avoid unnecessary pressure for personal growth, healthcare professionals should not expect that women with BC experience more PTG than BC-free women.

Bringing Back the Body into Positive Psychology: The Theory of <i>Corporeal</i> <i>Posttraumatic</i> <i>Growth</i> <i>in</i> <i>Breast</i> <i>Cancer</i> <i>Survivorship</i>

Objective: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the phenomenon of surpassing levels of functioning than which existed before a traumatic event occurred. The objective of this study was to assess how the body may have had an influence on the facilitation, and as an outcome, of PTG. Methods: 83 female breast cancer survivors, 5 years post cancer diagnosis, were interviewed on their long-term experience of physical activity engagement. Inductive thematic analysis was used in order to ascertain whether or not there were any serendipitous expressions of posttraumatic growth. Results: 24% (n = 20) of the study mentioned experiencing some form of PTG, including both generic and corporeal specific domains. Of those that reported PTG, 70% were from the original physical activity intervention group indicating potential links between activity participation during cancer treatment and long term PTG. Discussion: The results support the theoretical viewpoint that recovery from physical illness may have a unique PTG journey in comparison to more cognitive/external sources of trauma. Conclusions: This is the first study to qualitatively collect longitudinal data from a large and unique sample on the experience of PTG following breast cancer survivorship. Furthermore, the author has coined this new addition of a more embodied experience of PTG, the theory of ‘Corporeal Posttraumatic Growth’ and presents suggestions for future research.

Posttraumatic growth after cancer: the importance of health-related benefits and newfound compassion for others

There is growing evidence in psycho-oncology that people can experience posttraumatic growth (PTG), or positive life change, in addition to the distress that may occur after a cancer diagnosis. Many studies utilise existing PTG measures that were designed for general trauma experiences, such as the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. However, such inventories may not take into account life changes associated with a crisis specifically in a health-related context. The current study presents a mixed method exploration of the post-diagnosis experience of cancer survivors (N = 209) approximately 3years after diagnosis. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of PTG showed that appreciating life was the most salient area of positive life change for cancer survivors. The results also revealed that in addition to several PTG domains captured by existing quantitative PTG measures, further positive life changes were reported, including compassion for others and health-related life changes. These domains of PTG highlight the unique context of a cancer diagnosis and the potential underestimation of positive life change by existing inventories. Further research is warranted that is directed towards designing a context-specific PTG measure for cancer survivors.

Does Self-Reported Posttraumatic Growth Reflect Genuine Positive Change?

In this study, we evaluated the validity of self-reported posttraumatic growth (PTG) by assessing the relation between perceived growth and actual growth from pre- to posttrauma. Undergraduate students completed measures tapping typical PTG domains at Time 1 and Time 2 (2 months later). We compared change in those measures with scores on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) for those participants who reported a traumatic event between Time 1 and Time 2 (n= 122). PTGI scores generally were unrelated to actual growth in PTG-related domains. Moreover, perceived growth was associated with increased distress from pre- to posttrauma, whereas actual growth was related to decreased distress, a pattern suggesting that perceived and actual growth reflect different processes. Finally, perceived (but not actual) growth was related to positive reinterpretation coping. Thus, the PTGI, and perhaps other retrospective measures, does not appear to measure actual pre- to posttrauma change.

Variables Related to Posttraumatic Growth in Turkish Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, deteriorative disease, which can cause great psychological distress. Although RA has negative psychological consequences, it may also lead to positive changes, which has been given relatively little attention in the research literature. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) has been used to evaluate growth in survivor's thinking, feeling and/or behavior following the experiencing of traumatic or severely adverse life events. The purpose of the current study was to examine the domains of the PTGI and to identify variables related to Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in 117 RA patients from Turkey, a secular, Islamic, non-western developing country. Results showed that the PTGI has three domains: relationship with others; philosophy of life; and self-perception. Regression analyses showed that problem-focused coping had significant contributions to the total PTG levels and PTGI domains of relationship with others and self-perception. Perceived social support appeared as a significant associate for the total PTG levels and for all three domains. In addition, age and perceived disease severity were found to be significantly related to some domains of PTG. Clinicians, aiming to increase positive experience of RA patients, may need to focus on and facilitate perceived social support and problem-focused coping to facilitate growth experiences.

Posttraumatic Growth Following a Cancer Diagnosis: Do World Assumptions Contribute?

This longitudinal study explored cognitive predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among 62 adults undergoing treatment for newly diagnosed cancer. Examined were the contribution of assumptive world beliefs, cognitive avoidance, cognitive intrusions, sociodemographic and illness-related factors to PTG. All predictors were measured during treatment (M: 37 days post-diagnosis) for a hematologic cancer (T1). World assumptions were measured again along with PTG following primary treatment completion (M: 184 days post-diagnosis [T2]). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict the five domains of PTG. The results of the analyses indicated that assumptions of justice and luck positively predicted PTG while lower self worth and self control were related to higher growth. Assumptions did not change between T1 and T2. Contrary to expectations cognitive avoidance positively predicted growth. There was no association between intrusions and growth. On the basis of this study, it is concluded that stronge...