Posttraumatic Growth Impacts Views of Others’ Trauma

The Roles of Shared Experience and Gender

Bibliographic Data

ID9057872
AuthorsAlex C Orille (0000-0003-1957-9334, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA, corresponding author), Velinka Marton (Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA), Kanako Taku (0000-0003-1515-7951, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA)
Year2022
Volume62
Issue5
Pages669-682
Publication date2022-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022167820961928
OpenAlexW3089409842
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited20

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) may foster skills that allow one to understand traumatic experiences in others. The primary aim of this study was to determine the relationship between an individual’s PTG reports and their ability to relate to two growth types, PTG and illusory growth. The purpose of this study was to elucidate perceptions of illusory growth and PTG so clinicians may more readily identify catalysts for growth and customize treatments. Participants were read two vignettes that detailed the experience of PTG and illusory growth as a result of a specific traumatic event (i.e., car accident). They completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of the vignettes. Results revealed that participants with higher PTG were more likely to relate to the PTG vignette than the illusory growth vignette, and when participants had experienced the same event in the vignette (i.e., car accident), this relationship was stronger. Last, participants mostly perceived the PTG vignette as female, and the illusory growth vignette as male. Our results suggest that interventions following traumatic experiences could be best facilitated/supplemented by reflective interactions with others who have experienced similar events. Considering one’s gender may be important in order to ensure that gender stereotypes regarding emotional expression are mitigated

Developmental psychology · Posttraumatic growth · Posttraumatic stress · Psychotherapist · Clinical Psychology · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Migration, Health and Trauma · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Social Psychology

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