Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)

Post-Traumatic Growth, 2024
Geoffrey W. Sutton & Bing AI

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of personal improvement following a traumatic experience that severely affected their ability to function.  (Sutton, 2024).

The concept of Post-traumatic growth (PTG) was developed by psychological scientists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in the 1990s. These scientists examined the presence of PTG in five areas (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996):

• Appreciation of life
• Relationships with others
• New possibilities in life
• Personal strength
• Spiritual change

Psychotherapists treating people for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) will need to avoid minimizing patients' struggles with PTSD symptoms, which may happen if they focus on PTG when a patient is not ready.

Guzman and Padros (2018) reported improvement in wellbeing following treatment for PTSD that included PTG. They proposed the following:

1. Some people who go through trauma can benefit and achieve personal growth.

2. If those with trauma receive therapy, it is more likely that they will develop said growth.

3. A short-­term training added to traditional treatment ensures that people could experience more personal growth and psychological well-­being.

PTG and resilience

PTG is not the same as resilience. PTG represents growth following a soul-destroying trauma. Resilience refers to a strong ability to adapt to and persevere through a challenging life experience.     

See Resilience for a definition and research notes.

Cite this post

Sutton, G. W. (2024, January 3). Post-traumatic growth. Psychology concepts and theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2024/01/post-traumatic-growth-ptg.html

References

Guzman, M. & Padros, F. (2018, September 5). Promoting post-traumatic growth after PTSD. Retrieved from Promoting Post-Traumatic Growth After PTSD | Psychology Today

Sutton, G. W. (2024, January 3). Post-traumatic growth. Psychology concepts and theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2024/01/post-traumatic-growth-ptg.html

Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of traumatic stress, 9(3), 455–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02103658

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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