This study examined the relationships between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) across 10 countries and assessed the factorial invariance of the standardized inventory assessing PTG and PTD, the PTGDI-X, the expansion of the PTGI-X (Tedeschi et al., 2017). We also investigated the roles of social and cognitive factors in PTG and PTD. Data were collected from participants who identified that their most stressful life experience met the definition of trauma in Australia,
Objective:The objective of this study was to examine how the situational characteristics of different types of social support (emotional and instrumental) and relational characteristics of anxious and avoidant adult attachment styles impacted on the recovery from a traumatic event and could lead to both posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Method: A community sample of 100 participants (72 women and 28 men, who perceived that they had experienced trauma) completed a questionnaire measuring stressful life events, attachment dimensions, emotional and instrumental perceived social support, PTS, and PTG. Results: Whereas insecure attachment predicted higher levels of distress, the role of social support was more complex. For anxious attachment, both instrumental and emotional support negatively predicted distress, whereas for avoidant attachment, only emotional support negatively predicted distress. Contrary to expectations, although high average levels of PTG were evident in the sample, PTG was not related to attachment or social support. Conclusion: This study provides some groundwork for examining the role of attachment styles and their relationship with different types of perceived social support in regard to both negative and positive adaptations to trauma. In addition, the results suggest that PTG is a complex process and many factors may be involved in its development.
Commercial sexual exploitation affects between 5,000 and 7,000 girls and women in Nepal each year and can have devastating physical and psychological consequences. Much research has documented these effects; however, there is no published research that focuses on whether healing and growth outcomes are possible for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. The narratives of 26 girls and women (13-18 years) were taken at two time points during participation in a 6-week group psychoeducation and art therapy program, which was delivered across three nongovernmental organizations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. Themes emerging from Time Point 1 were psychological distress in the form of anxiety and grief over loss of family, psychosomatic symptoms, empathy and compassion, and posttraumatic growth (PTG; new possibilities, relating to others, and personal strength). The themes emerging from Time Point 2, were empathy and compassion and PTG (cognitive restructuring, new possibilities, relating to others, and personal strength). These outcomes were seen alongside ongoing distress. Future research would advance knowledge by further examining the process of PTG in this population, if the changes observed were lasting, and, if so, ways in which PTG can be facilitated or promoted.
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