Posttraumatic Growth: Positive Changes Following Adversity - An Overview
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: It has long been known that individuals have experienced growth in the face of adversity. Finding something positive in the aftermath of adversity has been a characteristic attribute of many cultures and religions (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995, 1996, 2004). There is now a extensive literature documenting changes following a wide range of stressful and traumatic events (Linley & Joseph, 2004). This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive review of the development of the concept of Post Traumatic Growth and major work done in this area. Thus, this review aims at exploring the definition of posttraumatic growth, factors associated with it and present an overview of PTG as a post trauma event. It summarize research findings related to responses to traumatic events and PTG. Method and Results: Electronic databases were used to search and explore the relevant and appropriate literature. Based on the analysis of empirical work, it was found that several studies demonstrated a range of factors, such as distress, personality characteristics, coping, resilience, compassion and giving to others, spirituality and optimism, that have contributed to the development of posttraumatic growth. It also provides a description of PTG as coping strategy and as an outcome of the trauma and elaborates on the Domain of PTG as proposed by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996, 2004). Conclusions: Growth results from the struggle to cope with the traumatic event and find meaning and not from the traumatic event itself. It is important not to prescribe growth so that the client feels that they ought to be experiencing growth, but rather to pay attention for growth as it occurs. Therapists should be aware of the possibility for change in their clients following difficulty and trauma. The issues identified enhanced our understanding about the post traumatic growth and experiences and provide the basis for formulating strategies to identify and incorporate strengths into the practice and research.
Authors: Meeta Malhotra, Suma Chebiyan
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2345083035