Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contemporary Understandings of Posttraumatic Growth

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Hardship

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Psychology ((BRIEFSPSYCHOL))

Abstract

What exactly is posttraumatic growth? How has it been defined by researchers? What are the main conceptual approaches and empirical findings? The present chapter summarizes the key psychological approaches on posttraumatic growth, and provides an overview of the research findings on the phenomenon in the scientific literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ai, A. L., Hall, D., Pargament, K., & Tice, T. N. (2013). Posttraumatic growth in patients who survived cardiac surgery: The predictive and mediating roles of faith-based factors. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 36(2), 186–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andrykowski, M. A., Carpenter, J. S., Studts, J. L., Cordova, M. J., Cunningham, L. L., Beacham, A., et al. (2002). Psychological impact of benign breast biopsy: A longitudinal, comparative study. Health Psychology, 21(5), 485–494.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blee, L. (2010). I came voluntarily to work, sing and dance: Stories from the Eskimo Village at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. The Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 101(3/4), 126–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bostock, L., Sheikh, A. I., & Barton, S. (2009). Posttraumatic growth and optimism in health-related trauma: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 16(4), 281–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calhoun, L. G., Cann, A., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2010). The posttraumatic growth model: Sociocultural considerations. In T. Weiss & R. Berger (Eds.), Posttraumatic growth and culturally competent practice: Lessons learned from around the globe (pp. 1–14). Hoboken: New Jersey: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cordova, M. J., Cunningham, L. L., Carlson, C. R., & Andrykowski, M. A. (2001). Posttraumatic growth following breast cancer: A controlled comparison study. Health Psychology, 20(3), 176–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Danhauer, S. C., Russell, G. B., Tedeschi, R. G., Jesse, M. T., Vishnevsky, T., Daley, K., et al. (2013). A longitudinal investigation of posttraumatic growth in adult patients undergoing treatment for acute leukemia. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 20(1), 13–24.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dekel, S., Ein-Dor, T., & Solomon, Z. (2012). Posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic distress: A longitudinal study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(1), 94–101. doi:10.1037/a0021865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, P. A., Conlon, A., & Glaser, T. (2001). Positive and negative life changes following sexual assault. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(6), 1048–1055. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.69.6.1048.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, P., Greer, C., Gabrielsen, S., Tennen, H., Park, C., & Tomich, P. (2013). The relation between trauma exposure and prosocial behavior. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5(3), 286–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, P., Tennen, H., Gavian, M., Park, C., Tomich, P., & Tashiro, T. (2009). Does self-reported posttraumatic growth reflect genuine positive change? Psychological Science, 20(7), 912–919. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02381.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hefferon, K., Grealy, M., & Mutrie, N. (2009). Post-traumatic growth and life threatening physical illness: A systematic review of the qualitative literature. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14(2), 343–378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Helgeson, V. S., Reynolds, K. A., & Tomich, P. L. (2006). A meta-analytic review of benefit finding and growth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 797–816. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.797.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Janoff-Bulman, R. (1992). Shattered assumptions: Towards a new psychology of trauma. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayawickreme, E., Forgeard, M. J., & Seligman, M. E. (2012). The engine of well-being. Review of General Psychology, 16(4), 327–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Positive adjustment to threatening events: An organismic valuing theory of growth through Trauma. Review of General Psychology, 9(3), 262–280. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, S., Maltby, J., Wood, A. M., Stockton, H., Hunt, N., & Regel, S. (2012). The Psychological Well-Being—Post-Traumatic Changes Questionnaire (PWB-PTCQ): Reliability and validity. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(4), 420–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linley, P. A., & Joseph, S. (2004). Positive change following trauma and adversity: A review. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17(1), 11–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lönnqvist, J. E., Mäkinen, S., Paunonen, S. V., Henriksson, M., & Verkasalo, M. (2008). Psychosocial functioning in young men predicts their personality stability over 15 years. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(3), 599–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAdams, D. P. (1996). Personality, modernity, and the storied self: A contemporary framework for studying persons. Psychological Inquiry, 7(4), 295–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMillen, J. C. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: What’s it all about? Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, A. M., Gamblin, T. C., Geller, D. A., Youssef, M. N., Hoffman, K. E., Gemmell, L., et al. (2011). A prospective study of posttraumatic growth as assessed by self-report and family caregiver in the context of advanced cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 20(5), 479–487.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pals, J. L., & McAdams, D. P. (2004). The transformed self: A narrative understanding of posttraumatic growth. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 65–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L. (1998). Implications of posttraumatic growth for individuals. Posttraumatic Growth: Positive Changes in the Aftermath of Crisis 153–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L. (2004). The notion of growth following stressful life experiences: Problems and prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 69–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L. (2010). Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 136(2), 257–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L., Cohen, L. H., & Murch, R. L. (1996). Assessment and prediction of stress-related growth. Journal of Personality, 64(1), 71–105. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00815.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parkes, C. M. (1971). Psycho-social transitions: A field for study. Social Science and Medicine, 5(2), 101–115. doi:10.1016/0037-7856(71)90091-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pollard, C., & Kennedy, P. (2007). A longitudinal analysis of emotional impact, coping strategies and post-traumatic psychological growth following spinal cord injury: A 10-year review. British Journal of Health Psychology, 12(3), 347–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L. (2009). Optimism, social support, and coping strategies as factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14(5), 364–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, B. W., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2001). The kids are alright: Growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(4), 670–683. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.4.670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (1996). Psychological well-being: Meaning, measurement, and implications for psychotherapy research. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 65(1), 14–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (2003). Flourishing under fire: Resilience as a prototype of challenged thriving. In J. Haidt & C. Keyes (Eds.). Flourishing: Positive psychology and the life well-lived. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. pp. 15–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salsman, J. M., Segerstrom, S. C., Brechting, E. H., Carlson, C. R., & Andrykowski, M. A. (2009). Posttraumatic growth and PTSD symptomatology among colorectal cancer survivors: A three-month longitudinal examination of cognitive processing. Psycho-oncology, 18(1), 30–41.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, A., Ayers, S., & Field, A. P. (2010). Posttraumatic growth and adjustment among individuals with cancer or HIV/AIDS: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(4), 436–447. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.02.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, A., Ayers, S., Young, D., Bradley, R., & Smith, H. (2012). Posttraumatic growth after childbirth: A prospective study. Psychology & Health, 27(3), 362–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroevers, M. J., Helgeson, V. S., Sanderman, R., & Ranchor, A. V. (2010). Type of social support matters for prediction of posttraumatic growth among cancer survivors. Psycho-Oncology, 19(1), 46–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seery, M. D., Holman, E. A., & Silver, R. C. (2010). Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime trauma, vulnerability, and resilience. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(6), 1025–1041. doi:10.1037/a0021344.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, A., Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2005). Religion, spirituality, and posttraumatic growth: A systematic review. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 8(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, A. L., Bower, J. E., & Low, C. A. (2006). Posttraumatic growth after cancer. In L. G. Calhoun & R. G. Tedeschi (Eds.), Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research & practice (pp. 138–175). Mahwah, NJ US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staub, E., & Vollhardt, J. (2008). Altruism born of suffering: The roots of caring and helping after victimization and other trauma. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78(3), 267–280. doi:10.1037/a0014223.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., & Armor, D. A. (1996). Positive illusions and coping with trauma. Journal of Personality, 64(4), 873–898. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00947.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tennen, H., & Affleck, G. (2009). Assessing positive life change: In search of meticulous methods. In C. L. Park, S. C. Lechner, M. H. Antoni, & A. L. Stanton (Eds.), Medical illness and positive life change: Can crisis lead to personal transformation? (pp. 31–49). Washington, DC US: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1995). Trauma & transformation: Growing in the aftermath of suffering. Thousand Oaks, CA US: Sage Publications Inc.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The posttraumatic growth inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(3), 455–471. doi:10.1007/BF02103658.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18. doi:10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tennen, H., & Affleck, G. (1998). Personality and transformation in the face of adversity. In: R. G. Tedeschi., C. Park., & L. G. Calhoun (Eds.), Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis (pp. 65–98). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tennen, H., Affleck, G., Urrows, S., Higgins, P., & Mendola, R. (1992). Perceiving control, construing benefits, and daily processes in rheumatoid arthritis. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 24(2), 186–203. doi:10.1037/h0078709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomich, P. L., & Helgeson, V. S. (2004). Is finding something good in the bad always good? Benefit finding among women with breast cancer. Health Psychology, 23(1), 16–23. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.23.1.16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P. T., Reker, G. T., & Peacock, E. J. (2006). A resource-congruence model of coping and the development of the coping schemas inventory. In P. T. P. Wong & L. C. J. Wong (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural perspectives on stress and coping (pp. 223–283). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    Eranda Jayawickreme

  2. School of Psychology, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Laura E. R. Blackie

Authors
  1. Eranda Jayawickreme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura E. R. Blackie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eranda Jayawickreme .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jayawickreme, E., Blackie, L.E.R. (2016). Contemporary Understandings of Posttraumatic Growth. In: Exploring the Psychological Benefits of Hardship. SpringerBriefs in Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47989-7_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation