Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: While the validity of posttraumatic growth has been repeatedly questioned, the prevalence of \ngrowth after exposure to trauma is widely established. Perceptions of posttraumatic growth \nwere examined in a sample of South African adults (N = 135). Participants completed a selfadministered \nbattery of questionnaires via an online trauma survey or in paper format. Data \nspecific to the nature of the traumatic event, particularly the type of trauma, time since the \ntraumatic event, the impact of the event and perceived threat of the event, were collected \nalong with posttraumatic growth (PTG) scores. Age, gender and perceived social support \nwere also assessed as variables. Results of the multivariate analyses indicated that PTG \ndiffered significantly as a function of the type of traumatic event. PTG also differed according \nto the time since the traumatic event, although the relationship was complex and subject to the \nadditional moderating factors of depression, anxiety and stress. Examination of the growth \nfactors further revealed a differential pattern of PTG according to event type, and a variable \npattern of relationship to social support, perceived threat and impact of the trauma. The \nfindings supported the view of PTG as a complex, highly subjective perception of growth that \nmay involve many levels and aspects of change. The nature of PTG is important in the context \nof South Africa, for the individuals, and their families, who have been exposed to high levels \nof crime, violence, chronic illness and road accidents, and for a nation in the process of \nrebuilding itself.
Author: Shelley Roe‐Berning
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1528684476