Articles published on Posttraumatic growth
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- Research Article
- 10.1080/20440243.2026.2619124
- Mar 13, 2026
- Journal for the Study of Spirituality
- Shiva Shafierizi + 5 more
ABSTRACT Infertility can elicit a range of psychological responses, including emotional distress and, in some cases, positive psychological changes known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study explores the significance of spiritual well-being as a predictor of PTG in infertile individuals. In this cross-sectional investigation, 162 infertile individuals completed questionnaires, including the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. Results showed that higher levels of spiritual well-being were significantly associated with greater PTG (β = 0.47, p < 0.001) and lower levels of depression (β = −0.22, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = −0.53, p < 0.001). Women reported significantly higher levels of spiritual well-being, anxiety, and depression compared to men, though no gender difference was found in PTG. These findings suggest that spiritual well-being may serve as a protective factor, promoting psychological growth while reducing emotional distress. The results highlight the potential value of incorporating spiritual assessments and support into fertility care to enhance psychological outcomes for affected couples.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/24732850.2026.2638357
- Mar 13, 2026
- Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice
- Sally Mcfadden + 4 more
ABSTRACT Research into vicarious traumatisation and post-traumatic growth demonstrates both personal costs and potential positive impacts on professionals respectively. Due to high levels of interpersonal trauma exposure involved in sexual assault services, staff may be significantly impacted. This study is the first to explore staff experiences in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Northern Ireland. Interviews conducted with professionals were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes include: Staff experience negative emotional challenges and heightened fear of interpersonal violence, staff engage in defenses against indirect trauma, yet, they derive positive meaning from their work. Findings inform occupational support.
- Research Article
- 10.1037/tra0002143
- Mar 12, 2026
- Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
- Stephanie Agtarap + 8 more
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern due to its potential lifelong consequences to physical, mental, and cognitive and social function (Haarbauer-Krupa et al., 2021). Comprehensive data highlighting the multidimensional and dynamic processes that underlie personal strengths and psychosocial growth following TBI are lacking. This study identified key mechanisms of posttraumatic growth after TBI by qualitatively mapping categories of posttraumatic growth development and quantitatively examining their relationships with growth and rehabilitation outcomes. Individuals (N = 40) who received rehabilitation services for moderate-severe TBI completed subjective and objective assessments of global function and recovery, psychosocial health and coping strategies, and a free-response question about significant life changes following injury. Using a convergent parallel design, quantitative assessments were compared against categorical drivers of growth derived from content analysis. Qualitative analysis revealed five mechanism domains: presence of TBI sequelae; behavioral changes and goal-direct adaptations, changes in motivation and emotion, environmental and social contexts, contextual factors, and appraisal of themselves or from others. Joint assessment of data highlighted the role of event centrality, acceptance and active coping strategies, and contextual factors in the development of posttraumatic growth. Results demonstrate the need to incorporate sociocognitive processes absent in rehabilitation frameworks to account for the scientific development of psychosocial growth and healing in the context of TBI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
- Research Article
- 10.1186/s12887-026-06637-5
- Mar 11, 2026
- BMC pediatrics
- Elif Bilge Alimoğlu + 4 more
Positive parenting and posttraumatic growth in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Türkiye.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/17454832.2026.2636560
- Mar 10, 2026
- International Journal of Art Therapy
- Wednesdae Reim Ifrach
ABSTRACT Background Queer and gender-diverse individuals frequently navigate trauma, digital harassment, and sociopolitical marginalisation that profoundly shape embodied identity. Arts-based autoethnography offers a meaningful approach for examining these experiences through material, symbolic, and somatic processes. Aims This study investigated how mannequin-based artmaking functioned as an embodied site for exploring Queer identity, trauma integration, and self-reconstruction. Methods Using an autoethnographic research design, I engaged in a two-year process of modifying life-sized mannequins through cutting, reconstructing, painting, and layering. Data consisted of reflective journals, video documentation of somatic and emotional responses, and photographic records of sculptural progression. Data were analyzed through a reflexive thematic analysis informed by Queer, trauma-informed, and embodied frameworks. Results Four themes were developed: (1) transformation of gender presentation, (2) development of a symbolic material vocabulary, (3) movement from fragmentation toward subtle integration, and (4) resilience and post-traumatic growth expressed through somatic regulation and creative coherence. Conclusions Mannequin-based artmaking provided a generative form of embodied inquiry into the complexities of Queer identity and trauma. Although undertaken as a personal exploration rather than clinical practice, the findings illustrate how creative, three-dimensional processes can illuminate lived experiences shaped by oppression and digital violence. Implications for art therapy practice These insights point to ways in which three-dimensional, embodied artmaking could inform future art therapy practice, particularly when working with clients exploring identity, trauma, and body-based distress.
- Research Article
- 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1788744
- Mar 9, 2026
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Maria Luisa Martino + 1 more
Breast cancer (BC) under 50 years is a critical, potentially traumatic experience that breaks a phase of life characterized by significant goals and expectations. Meaning-making transformation supports post-traumatic growth (PTG) that generally may occur at the end of the experience. The struggling diagnosis and treatment of BC at a young age usually remain strongly imprinted in the mind and body within the autobiographical memories (AMs). Individuals who report a tendency to draw integrative meaning or life lessons from their memories exhibit high levels of adjustment, recovery, and growth. This study aims to explore the narrative interplay between the hardest, negative AMs of BC treatment and PTG processes. A total of 10 women aged under 50 were recruited at the end of medical treatment. An ad hoc narrative interview was administered to explore the meaning-making of the BC experience. To pursue our aim, we focused on three narrative prompts related to negative AMs associated with BC treatment and PTG. Narratives were analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The analysis shows three narrative interplay trajectories between the hardest and negative AMs related to the BC medical journey that open to specific processes of growth at the end of the treatment: From the Death Anxiety to Self-Resignification; From Physical Suffering to the Choice of Priority; From the Temporality Collapse to the Present Moment Contact. They focus on three distinct yet interconnected aspects of PTG: identity, relational, and temporal levels. The findings confirm how PTG is generated by women’s ability to transform the hardest and negative meaning of AMs of the experience. The presence of particularly difficult AMs attests to the psychic process associated with PTG. This process not only serves as an outcome but also facilitates meaning-making aimed at drawing integrative meaning, used for growth, either for oneself or one’s life from memory itself. Despite the limitations of this study, it highlights the supportive use of AMs in a psycho-oncology context as a device to reflect on how BC women have internalized the meanings of cancer experience. It also aims to construct a setting conducive to their transformation into a growth-oriented one.
- Research Article
- 10.57224/jhpr.1768301
- Mar 3, 2026
- Sağlık Profesyonelleri Araştırma Dergisi
- Nisa Yilmaz + 3 more
Aim: The study examined the effects of post-traumatic growth on self-care agency in patients who had suffered an MI. Methods: The study was conducted with 397 patients who applied to the Cardiology Clinics of a city hospital in Istanbul between March 24 and July 23, 2024. The data of the study were collected with the Patient Information Form, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, and Self-Care Ability Scale. Results: The mean waist circumference of the patients was found to be 103.06±16.93 cm, EF (%) was 46.39±12.6, 76.8% had comorbidities, 74.1% had hypertension, 89.7% had someone who supported their care, 51.4% were doing physical activity, 70.3% had had 1 heart attack, 58.7% had 0-6 months since their last heart attack, and 59.7% had a family member who had a heart attack. The mean change in self-perception of the patients was 25.3±16.42, the mean change in philosophy of life was 11.46±7.84, the mean change in relationships with others was 10.43±8.94, the mean Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory was 47.2±31.11, and the mean self-care agency scale was 101.74±20.75. The simple linear regression analysis that was used to determine the effects of post-traumatic growth on self-care agency was found to be statistically significant (F=27.886, p&lt;0.001). The post-traumatic growth (β=0.257, p&lt;0.01) variable had a positive and significant effect on self-care agency. Conclusion: The post-traumatic growth and self-care abilities of the patients were found to be at moderate levels, and as post-traumatic growth increased, self-care abilities also increased.
- Research Article
- 10.1002/nop2.70479
- Mar 1, 2026
- Nursing open
- Hsiang-Chun Lee + 5 more
To examine the relationships among spirituality, happiness, life attitude and posttraumatic growth in haemodialysis patients, and to test whether life attitude and posttraumatic growth acted as potential mediators in the association between spirituality and happiness. A cross-sectional correlational study. We recruited 299 maintenance haemodialysis patients from nine dialysis clinics in Taiwan using convenience sampling. Participants completed validated self-report questionnaires measuring spirituality, happiness, life attitude and posttraumatic growth. Pearson's correlation coefficients and mediation analyses using the PROCESS 4.2 macro for SPSS were conducted to test associations and mediating effects. The mean age of participants was 60.90 years (SD = 12.39), and the average duration of haemodialysis was 5.32 years (SD = 5.30). Spirituality was significantly positively correlated with happiness, life attitude, and posttraumatic growth (r = 0.571, 0.643 and 0.473; all p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed a significant total effect of spirituality on happiness (B = 0.196, 95% CI [0.164, 0.228]) and a direct effect (B = 0.060, 95% CI [0.024, 0.096]). Life attitude and posttraumatic growth significantly mediated this relationship (B = 0.082, 95% CI [0.055, 0.110]) and (B = 0.054, 95% CI [0.035, 0.075]), respectively. Spirituality is associated with higher happiness in haemodialysis patients, and this pattern was consistent with potential indirect pathways via positive life attitudes and promoting posttraumatic growth. These findings offer insight into the psychological mechanisms linking spirituality and well-being in chronically ill patients. Integrating spiritual assessment and tailored interventions into clinical care may be relevant for psychological well-being and overall quality of life in this population. This highlights the importance of addressing spiritual dimensions in chronic care settings. Study methods and results were reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist. No patient or public contribution. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06098924.
- Research Article
- 10.1002/nop2.70483
- Mar 1, 2026
- Nursing open
- Funda Gümüş + 1 more
The study aimed to identify the relationship between traumatic growth and the meaning of life among nursing students and examined the influential variables. The study has a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design based on self-reported data. This study was conducted with 649 undergraduate nursing students in Turkey from May to September 2022. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form, Traumatic Experiences List (TEL), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and it was analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Student-t test, post hoc test, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation, and Multiple linear regression. It was found that 40.5% of the nursing students had their own traumatic experience (15.7% loss of a loved person, 5.1% physical, sexual or emotional assault). It was seen that the PTGI total mean scores varied between groups concerning their class grades, experiencing trauma or being exposed to the trauma of a relative, and receiving psychological support. The MLQ total mean scores varied by class grade, economic status, and exposure to a relative's traumatic event. In the regression analysis, post-traumatic growth, economic status, and a relative's traumatic experience explained 10.6% of the variance in meaning in life. The relatively low explanatory power of the model and the below-average levels of post-traumatic growth may reflect the cumulative and recent nature of large-scale stressors (e.g., pandemic-related disruptions and societal traumas), as well as insufficient time for cognitive processing and meaning reconstruction following trauma. It was revealed that the students' traumatic growth scores were below the mean; their meaning of life scores were above the mean, and the meaning of life increased as post-traumatic growth increased. As can be seen, although a traumatic experience is a stressful, destructive experience that leads to negative experiences and even disorders, it is also an opportunity that allows people to create a new structure and become more functional than before. Nursing students share their perspectives on their traumatic growth and on the meaning of life. These findings will provide important information for nursing education, aiming to increase students' psychological resilience to traumatic events, improve their coping skills in the face of negative events, organise training in coping with trauma, and ensure their psychosocial adaptation.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/10926771.2026.2637967
- Mar 1, 2026
- Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma
- Oleg Kokun + 1 more
ABSTRACT The ongoing war in Ukraine has affected the mental and physical health of university students, elevating psychological support needs. This longitudinal study examined relationships between support needs, trauma-related symptoms, somatic complaints, and personal psychological resources among 439 Ukrainian students assessed one year apart. Participants completed validated measures of PTSD symptoms, physical complaints (GBB-24), resilience, general self-efficacy, and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Students with more severe PTSD symptoms and overall somatic complaints reported significantly higher psychological support needs. In multiple regression, resilience and self-efficacy did not add unique variance; moderation analyses indicated no buffering (interactions were small and in the opposite direction). PTG was not associated with support needs. A change-score model showed that within-person increases in PTSD symptoms and somatic complaints over one year predicted higher support needs at Time 2. Findings emphasize integrated, context-sensitive student mental-health strategies that address symptom burden alongside coping capacity; future research should incorporate multi-wave designs and broader psychosocial factors to clarify mechanisms under chronic threat.
- Research Article
3
- 10.1177/00207640251362911
- Mar 1, 2026
- The International journal of social psychiatry
- Adarsh Tripathi + 3 more
Climate distress is a psychological reaction to adverse weather events and climate change. These events can increase people's vulnerability to develop psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD particularly in disaster-prone regions like India. To explore the relationship between climate distress and psychological impact with a particular emphasis on women, elderly, and other at risk populations who owing to their health vulnerabilities, lack of resources or social roles that make them dependent on others, experience stress in the face of climate change. We synthesized findings from 75 studies involving 8,895,217 individuals, to understand the psychological impact of events like floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and air pollution. All related studies conducted in India from inception of the web search engines to December 9, 2024 were included in this study. This systematic review was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were identified from CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE and data was extracted using a custom extraction form. We report a high prevalence of mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression after extreme weather events like floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and air pollution. Subclinical conditions like sleep disturbances, stress, cognitive decline, and fear; along with, positive mental health outcomes like resilience, pro-environmental behavior, appreciation for life, and post traumatic growth post such events were commonly reported. Female gender, older age, financial instability, low education levels, and disaster exposure were the major risk factors. Social support, high education, and high socioeconomic status were the protective factors. Findings imply the need for having practical strategies for community-based resilience for the at risk population, starting at policy planning levels to address climate-related psychological distress. Our review highlights the need for further research to define and measure climate distress and psychological impact in the context of climate-induced heat, particularly in underrepresented regions.
- Research Article
- 10.1177/00302228261430464
- Feb 28, 2026
- Omega
- Ziqing Zhao + 5 more
This study examined the association between prosocial behavior and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese caregivers of seriously ill patients, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and deliberate rumination. A total of 232 caregivers (79 males, 153 females) completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Social Support Rating Scale, and Event-Related Rumination Inventory. Regression and mediation analyses showed that prosocial behavior was positively related to PTG. Both social support and deliberate rumination significantly mediated this relationship in parallel. These findings indicate that prosocial behavior has a positive effect on PTG among caregivers of seriously ill patients. This direct effect, as well as the mediating roles of social support and deliberate rumination, highlights both social-contextual and cognitive pathways underlying PTG among caregivers.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/26408066.2026.2633764
- Feb 28, 2026
- Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work
- Irfan Fayaz
ABSTRACT Purpose This meta-ethnographic review aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence on posttraumatic growth (PTG) among adult survivors of sexual violence, with particular attention to the coexistence of positive change, posttraumatic depreciation (PTD), and potential illusory growth. The review aimed to develop an interpretive framework that captures how survivors understood, narrated, and negotiated growth amid profound psychological, relational, and cultural challenges. Materials and Methods A systematic search of qualitative studies exploring PTG following sexual violence was conducted across major databases. Eligible studies were analyzed using Noblit and Hare’s seven-step meta-ethnographic approach. First-order (participant quotes) and second-order (author interpretations) data were translated across studies to develop higher-order conceptual themes. Results Six overarching themes were identified: (1) Meaning Making and Sense Making, reflecting survivors’ efforts to reconstruct coherence; (2) Relational Reorientation, capturing shifts in trust, boundaries, and intimacy; (3) Identity & Emotional Transformation, highlighting changes in self-perception and emotional regulation; (4) Spiritual Growth, showing spirituality as both a resource and a site of ambivalence; (5) Coping & Resilience, illustrating behavioral and cognitive strategies that facilitated adaptation; and (6) Barriers/Trauma Burden, representing the enduring effects of shame, stigma, and psychological distress. Discussion Survivors’ narratives revealed a dynamic interplay among genuine growth, lingering distress, and illusory growth shaped by coping demands. PTG in sexual violence survivors emerged as a complex, culturally embedded process involving both transformative change and persistent burdens. Understanding these nuances can inform trauma-informed, strength-based support that honors survivors’ lived realities. Conclusion Implications for practice, policy, and future directions are discussed.
- Research Article
- 10.1037/tra0002138
- Feb 26, 2026
- Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
- Kaltrina Kelmendi + 2 more
Although much research focuses on the negative effects of trauma, it is vital to explore why some individuals thrive despite adversity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Kosovo, a postconflict society in southeastern Europe, has received relatively little attention in trauma and resilience research. In this study, we examined potential benefits of 13 strengths: regulatory (coping, positive emotion regulation, humor), interpersonal (social support and social leisure), meaning-making (purpose, hope, collective hope, and moral meaning-making), and environmental (eco-connections and built environment). Five of these are newly developed scales, and two more are being used in Kosovo for the first time, including both measures for the new domain of environmental strengths. This is also the first quantitative study of institutional betrayal in Kosovo. Our study surveyed 500 young adults (75% women). In addition to the data on strengths, participants reported on experiences of victimization and institutional betrayal, subjective well-being, posttraumatic growth, and trauma symptoms. Most (86.6%) participants experienced some form of adversity, including institutional betrayal. Blockwise logistic regressions demonstrated that higher levels of personal hope, moral meaning-making, positive emotion regulation, mindfulness, social leisure, social support received, eco-connections, and poly-strengths significantly predicted at least one outcome of posttraumatic growth, subjective well-being, and trauma symptoms. Some measures were also significant in the unexpected direction, indicating that not all strengths help people overcome trauma. These findings add global support for multidimensional approaches to resilience and suggest new measures for assessment of strengths. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
- Research Article
- 10.1111/jpm.70110
- Feb 24, 2026
- Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
- Kübra Gülırmak Güler + 1 more
This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the posttraumatic search for meaning and inner transformation experiences of psychologically traumatised individuals by examining their coping strategies and recovery from the existential vacuum through a phenomenological approach. It is known that trauma creates not only a psychological but also an existential crisis in individuals and triggers a search for meaning; however, studies on how this process is reflected in the subjective experiences of individuals are limited. The study was conducted with a qualitative phenomenological design, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 volunteer individuals who had experienced psychological trauma in the past and who had experienced psychological trauma at least 1 year ago, selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and analysed using Colaizzi's method. COREQ guidelines were adhered to throughout the research process. Four main themes and twelve sub-themes were obtained from the in-depth interviews. "(1)In the Shadow of Identity: Existential Alienation, (2) In the Depths of the Void: Interrogation of Meaning, (3) Mental Exploration and Journey to Inner Light, and (4) Strength and Rebirth: Post-Traumatic Growth". The participants stated that they found themselves alienated and meaningless after the trauma; however, by facing this emptiness, they discovered their inner resources, built new meanings, and transformed the trauma into an opportunity for growth. The findings revealed that post-traumatic recovery is not only about symptomatic improvement; individuals can liberate themselves, take responsibility, and give their lives a unique meaning. The study suggests that developing meaning-focused and existentialist-based therapeutic approaches for mental health professionals can contribute to individuals' recovery and personal transformation. The study suggests that developing meaning-focused and existential-based therapeutic approaches for mental health professionals can contribute to individuals' recovery and personal transformation.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/13537121.2026.2627413
- Feb 20, 2026
- Israel Affairs
- Bilha Paryente + 1 more
ABSTRACT This study examined post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Jewish Israeli mothers who endured the 7 October 2023 attacks in Gaza-envelope communities while caring for children. Twenty mothers participated in in-depth interviews, analysed using Tedeschi and Calhoun’s PTG model. Five core growth domains emerged – changes in self-perception, relationships, appreciation of life, openness to possibilities, and spiritual/existential development – alongside two novel contributions: transformation of maternal identity and ‘dual consciousness’, balancing vulnerability with prioritising children’s protection. Findings highlight disrupted and reconstructed security, emotional costs alongside deepened bonds, and children’s resilience. This study expands PTG theory, emphasising role-specific, relational, existential growth, and calls for trauma-informed, family-centred interventions.
- Research Article
- 10.1037/tra0002133
- Feb 19, 2026
- Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy
- Gadi Zerach
While increasing attention has been paid to the negative ramifications of military service on female veterans, little is known about the factors that support positive adaptation and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in this population. This study examined how military-related risk factors (combat exposure, sexist hostility), outcomes (posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms), and psychological strengths (self-efficacy, self-esteem, psychological flexibility, prosocial intentions, gratitude, hope, and meaning-centered coping) contribute to PTG among Israeli female combat and noncombat veterans. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 808 Israeli female veterans (combat: n = 450; noncombat: n = 358) who completed self-report measures online. Combat veterans reported significantly higher levels of combat exposure, sexist hostility, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and PTG as compared with noncombat veterans. Among combat veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were negatively associated with PTG. In regression models, among combat veterans, psychological strengths (especially self-efficacy, prosocial intentions, hope, and meaning-centered coping) were associated with higher PTG beyond military-related risk factors. Among noncombat veterans, only hope was significantly associated with PTG. These findings highlight the dual nature of trauma in military service, both as a source of distress and a potential catalyst for growth. Psychological strengths serve as robust correlates of PTG and may offer promising targets for interventions aimed at fostering recovery and personal development among female veterans. Strength-based approaches that cultivate hope, meaning-making, and interpersonal capacities may enhance healing and resilience following military trauma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
- Research Article
- 10.1037/ser0001025
- Feb 19, 2026
- Psychological services
- Steven L Bistricky + 5 more
Physical injury events can lead to significant distress, but early psychosocial intervention may promote coping and prevent the development of psychopathology. This study evaluates a pilot program built upon a partnership with a U.S. Level 1 trauma center to serve these purposes. It aimed to (a) identify demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who engaged in therapy as an indicator of who such a program can serve and (b) evaluate the program's feasibility by examining patients' reported mental health-related changes and feedback about the program. The program provided 4-6 weeks of flexible, trauma-informed, patient-tailored, cognitive behaviorally oriented psychotherapy that emphasized trauma psychoeducation, coping self-efficacy, and self-compassion to facilitate symptom reduction, psychological growth, and preparation for transitioning to longer term trauma-focused therapy when appropriate (i.e., stepped care). Of the 149 patients referred to the program, 38 engaged in therapy, and 16 completed pre- to postsurveys including open-ended items soliciting feedback about the program and validated quantitative measures. Patient feedback responses were subjected to thematic analyses related to facets of feasibility. Patients' feedback included suggestions and appreciation of the program's accessibility and flexibility as well as evidence supporting the program's feasibility, in terms of acceptability, demand, and limited-efficacy testing. Relatedly, substantial quantitative improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, coping self-efficacy, self-compassion, and posttraumatic growth were observed. This work demonstrates the potential utility of brief stabilization therapy programs to meet postinjury psychosocial needs, and it highlights successes and challenges that may inform the development and implementation of future programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s10802-025-01403-0
- Feb 18, 2026
- Research on child and adolescent psychopathology
- Taylor R Napier + 4 more
The parent-child relationship influences children's mental health (e.g., posttraumatic stress symptoms, psychosocial difficulties) and adaptive outcomes (e.g., posttraumatic growth, resilience) following the death of a loved one. The current study employed a person-centered approach to identify patterns of parenting and their associations with bereaved children's functioning. This study included 112 bereaved children, aged 8-17 (Mage = 12.41, SD = 2.58; 52.2% female), recruited from community organizations in the MidSouth, United States. A latent profile analysis was used to identify parenting subgroups and examine differences between classes on children's posttraumatic stress symptoms, psychosocial difficulties, posttraumatic growth, and resilience. A three-class solution best fit the data: Passive Parenting (42.86%), Negative Parenting (34.82%), and Positive Parenting (22.32%). Children in the Positive Parenting class reported fewer psychosocial difficulties than those in the Passive (Est. = -8.33, p < .001, d = 0.86) and Negative (Est. = -15.82, p < .001, d = 1.67) Parenting classes; those in the Passive Parenting class had fewer psychosocial difficulties than the Negative Parenting class (Est. = -7.49, p < .001, d = 0.79). Children in the Positive Parenting class reported higher levels of resilience compared to the Negative (Est. = 8.95, p = .015; d = 0.51) and Passive (Est. = 11.44, p < .001; d = 0.69) Parenting classes; no significant differences on posttraumatic stress symptoms or posttraumatic growth were found. Bereaved children whose parents are more involved, prioritize open communication, and use more positive reinforcement strategies report fewer difficulties and more resilience. In contrast, children's trauma-related outcomes following a death were not influenced by parenting patterns and may be better explained by other relational factors.
- Research Article
- 10.1080/17439760.2026.2632935
- Feb 18, 2026
- The Journal of Positive Psychology
- Adriel Boals + 2 more
ABSTRACT Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) can challenge core beliefs about the self, prompting cognitive processes that shape recovery and perceived posttraumatic growth (PPTG). The present research examined whether self-labeling—identifying as a survivor versus a victim—predicts PPTG beyond established predictors such as event centrality, resilience, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Study 1 involved 323 undergraduates who identified an experience of discrimination and completed measures of PPTG, self-labeling, PTSS, event centrality, and resilience. Study 2 replicated this design with 212 community participants who selected their most distressing event. Across both studies, self-labeling as a survivor was significantly and positively correlated with PPTG and predicted unique variance in PPTG when controlling for all covariates. Self-labeling as a victim also correlated positively with PPTG, although this relationship became nonsignificant when PTSS was included. Results highlight survivor self-labeling as a distinct cognitive process contributing to positive reinterpretation and meaning reconstruction following trauma.