What is post-traumatic growth?
News headlines from around the world reveal the daily occurrence of traumatic events. International demonstrations to protest against events in Tibet and the resulting backlash from the Chinese authorities, conflict in Darfur, international and civil war and natural disasters, all can result in trauma for those involved. Closer to home, many people have personally experienced the effects of a crisis in their own lives.
Such trauma can lead us to question and change our deeply held beliefs.Psychology has s a long history of studying the effects of trauma on individuals, searching for effective ways to heal and support. More recently, a developing area of research has examined the potential for personal positive growth that can occur alongside the suffering and loss of trauma. Such growth resulting from trauma has become known as post-traumatic growth.
Research on post-traumatic growth
Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, professors of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have researched several aspects of post traumatic growth. In a review of literature on post traumatic growth, Tedeschi and Calhoun found that reports of growth experiences exceeded reports of psychiatric illness following trauma.The potential for growth in the aftermath of traumatic events, is not a new concept.
Viktor Frankl, psychologist and holocaust survivor, in 'Man's Search for Meaning' (described by the Library of Congress as one of the ten most influential books of the twentieth century) wrote,"Everything can be taken from a man but ...the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
The ways in which society responds positively to trauma can also be seen in the creation of organisations such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa and the UK wide Mothers Against Guns campaign.
How can we benefit from post-traumatic growth?
Calhoun and Tedeschi's research has shown that, following trauma, firmly held religious and philosophical beliefs are often questioned, prompting soul searching questions such as 'how do I make sense of the world and what is my place in it?' Such existential quests lead to beliefs and values being considered in greater depth, often developing our understanding and appreciation of these matters to greater levels. Existing goals are also questioned and new goals formed to fit in with the new, adjusted world view.
Psychologists have developed tools to measure post traumatic growth, these include the Stress-Related Growth Scale and Tedeschi and Calhoun's Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, such scales measure items such as relationship to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life. Research using such tools has linked post-traumatic growth with the following changes:
- Increased perception of competence and self-reliance
- Greater acceptance of one's vulnerability and negative emotional experiences
- Improved relationships with significant others
- More compassion and empathy for others
- Increased effort to improve relationships
- Greater appreciation of own existence
- Greater appreciation for life
- Positive changes in one's priorities
- Increased religious/spiritual beliefs
Finally, one important aspect of post-traumatic growth that Tedeschi and Calhoun emphasise, is that such growth exists alongside the emotions of suffering and loss rather than replacing them.
Like to find out more?
You can take the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory by visiting the American Psychological Association's website.
You may also want to take a look at the following websites for further information:
Psychology Department UNC CharlotteInternational Network on Personal Meaning
