Developing an understanding of Post Traumatic Growth: Implications and application for research and intervention

Abstract

Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) has been shown to occur following a range of traumatic experiences and interest in the construct has increased exponentially in recent years. Through a systematic literature review, this paper explores PTG’s philosophical and theoretical foundations, reviews some of the controversies surrounding its definition, measurement, and characterisation, and seeks to elicit some common factors supporting its development. Of particular interest are the potential applications and implications of these factors in broader contexts. PTG’s theoretical links to Expert Companionship, Organismic Valuing Theory, and Self Determination Theory, and the role of narrative in rebuilding personality, all indicate alignment with the philosophy and practice of positive psychology. While the study of this area is still evolving, this paper suggests there are many potential applications and implications of PTG.