About the problem of posttraumatic growth: current state of subject and research perspectives

Abstract

The review of literature results of posttraumatic growth research are presented in this article. The current state of the subject is presented by further points: the definition of "posttraumatic growth", the theories explaining the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth, the data regarding the forecasts of posttraumatic growth. It was revealed that posttraumatic growth is the phenomenon of positive personality changes, caused by the efforts to survive through the most horrible sets of circumstances. People who have experienced it describe five general types of changes: relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change and appreciation of life. There are two main theories explaining the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth. On the base of these theories we have made conclusion that points of view regarding of phenomenon of posttraumatic growth are remaining unilateral because all theories take into consideration only cognitive process after trauma as main releasers of posttraumatic growth. However, the data analysis showed that sociodemographic markers, personality, the traumatic events, health indicators also must be take into consideration as forecasts of posttraumatic growth. Certainly, cognitive processes and structures play the main role in this model. Because it is a cognitive structure which allows the person to interpret the experience positively. The data regarding contingency of posttraumatic stress severity and posttraumatic growth are also important. It was revealed that posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth are presented in person simultaneously and there is an opinion that an initially high level of posttraumatic stress predicts a subsequent posttraumatic growth above and beyond growth stability, but not vice versa.