Defining Post-Traumatic Growth

If you have experienced trauma, you may be all too familiar with the distressing effects that trauma can leave behind, including in some cases, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But what about post-traumatic growth? Many people are familiar with the saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” For some, this saying may really resonate and feel empowering. But for others, it can sound incredibly dismissive or perhaps even reek of toxic positivity.

What we do know is that for some people who experience trauma, there can be tremendous growth and positive changes that unfold in the aftermath. In this series, I will describe post-traumatic growth, factors that can contribute (or hinder) post traumatic growth, and what you can do to best set yourself up to experience post-traumatic growth.

What is Post-traumatic growth?

First, let’s define what we are talking about. Post-traumatic growth is defined as:

“Positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with trauma or highly challenging situations.”

— American Psychological Association

This does not mean that post-traumatic growth develops instead of post-traumatic stress, but rather, that it develops with post-traumatic stress.

Post-traumatic growth often results in the following five changes:

1. Greater appreciation for life

2. Better relationships with others

3. Increased personal strength

4. Recognition of new possibilities in life

5. Spiritual or philosophical change

The important thing to remember is that post-traumatic growth is a process and occurs in response to a significant event that shakes the core of the person. In the next post, we will explore the factors that can contribute to post-traumatic growth and how to cultivate these within yourself.

Sources

Tedeschi, R. G., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Taku, K., & Calhoun, L. G. (2018). Posttraumatic growth: Theory, research, and applications. Routledge.

Dell'Osso, L., Lorenzi, P., Nardi, B., Carmassi, C., & Carpita, B. (2022). Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) in the Frame of Traumatic Experiences. Clinical neuropsychiatry, 19(6), 390–393. https://doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20220606

Henson, C., Truchot, D., & Canevello, A. (2021). What promotes post traumatic growth? A systematic review. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 5(4), 100195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2020.100195