What is Post-Traumatic Growth?
- Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD
- 6d
- 4 min read
You might have heard someone say that they are grateful that they went through adversity because it made them stronger. They grew as a result of having experienced a difficult event. It awakened them to strengths and resources they didn’t know they had before.
When you hear that, how does it sound to you? Does it make sense or do you scoff and say, “well, that’s nice for you, but my trauma/loss kicked my butt!” There are times, believe it or not, when people go through traumatic experiences and after they feel bad for a while, they emerge with greater strength, appreciation, and other signs of personal growth. This post is not meant to minimize what you went through, but to let you know that post-traumatic growth (PTG) is possible and that it can be developed to cope with trauma and loss.
Where did the idea of post-traumatic growth originate?
Post-traumatic growth describes positive psychological changes or personal growth that can occur as a result of going through a traumatic or challenging experience. Unlike traditional views of trauma that focus on mental illness (e.g., Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression or anxiety), PTG emphasizes the potential to have positive personal development.
Psychologists Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun developed the concept of post-traumatic growth in the mid-1990s. They were initially interested in how people learn to live well and gain wisdom. Part of their initial research grew from talking to people who experienced hardship, like widows and people who were disabled. Their research grew to reveal that what allowed people to transcend their trauma and difficulties was post traumatic growth. There were five main areas of growth that emerged from the research:
1. Changed relationships with others;
2. New possibilities for their lives;
3. Greater appreciation for various aspects of life;
4. An increased sense of personal strength; and
5. Existential or spiritual change.
What can we learn from this research on post traumatic growth?
They went on to collaborate on many books related to post traumatic growth that taught people how to cultivate this in themselves after a trauma. Those who develop post traumatic growth are still negatively impacted by the traumatic incident, and their recovery is by no means easy. However, something in the struggle to make meaning and reformulate their core beliefs about themselves transforms their perspectives. They arrive at a new way of seeing themselves and the world around them.
The way PTG works is still being investigated by researchers. Nonetheless, it seems as though traumatic incidents force some people to re-evaluate the way they relate to the world and in their search for meaning in the incident (i.e., “why did this happen to me?”), they arrive at new, more adaptive ways to understand themselves and the world. The confusion and turmoil of the struggle seem important for generating PTG.
For instance, you might become more confident because you realize that you survived the incident, you’re safe now, and you had to reach down inside and pull out grit and other qualities you didn’t know existed.
What does post traumatic growth look like?
It suggests that some individuals, in the aftermath of trauma, may experience the following types of positive changes:
Greater appreciation of life: If you survived a traumatic experience (including losing a loved one), you may develop a heightened appreciation for the value of life and a deeper sense of gratitude for what you have. In the case of grief, you may be grateful to have known the person you lost. Instead of just focusing on the loss, you may appreciate all the benefits of having known them.
Improved relationships: You might gain a new perspective on the importance of connection and support, which might change how you relate to others. Your decisions about what is important in relationships might change, and you might be more forgiving, loving, or compassionate.
Increased personal strength: Going through a trauma can lead to increased feelings of resilience, self-confidence, and a belief in your ability to overcome challenges. You might also feel more resilient in the face of smaller stressors that you used to think were a bigger deal.
Enhanced personal growth: You may have a new perspective or insights. Additionally, you might discover a deeper sense of purpose. Your sense of meaning and connection to others and the universe may be expanded as well. Additionally, adversity might help you develop a more cognitively complex, mature way of looking at life.
Positive change in priorities: Trauma can prompt you to reevaluate your priorities and make significant life changes, such as pursuing new goals, changing careers, or adopting healthier lifestyles.
Not everyone develops post traumatic growth.
It's important to note that not everyone who goes through trauma will necessarily experience post-traumatic growth. The process can vary widely from person to person. Additionally, post-traumatic growth doesn't negate the very real and difficult challenges that you may have faced.
Instead, it’s a phenomenon that happens to some people that affords unexpected benefits. It’s important to acknowledge that while some trauma/loss survivors have a difficult time recovering from the stress of the trauma, 50-60% of trauma survivors are able to find positive meaning and personal development in the aftermath of adversity.
I see this as good news for trauma survivors, and an opportunity to have hope for not just recovery from post-traumatic stress, but thriving as a result of the searching for meaning and transformation that can take place.
If you would like to explore how traumatic events or loss experiences have impacted your life, for better or worse, EMDR therapy and other trauma therapies can be helpful. I’d love to help you heal and find your inner strength, so please call me at 661-233-6771 or click the button below.
