Premium
Post‐traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations
Author(s) -
Jayawickreme Eranda,
Infurna Frank J.,
Alajak Kinan,
Blackie Laura E. R.,
Chopik William J.,
Chung Joanne M.,
Dorfman Anna,
Fleeson William,
Forgeard Marie J. C.,
Frazier Patricia,
Furr R. Michael,
Grossmann Igor,
Heller Aaron S.,
Laceulle Odilia M.,
Lucas Richard E.,
Luhmann Maike,
Luong Gloria,
Meijer Laurien,
McLean Kate C.,
Park Crystal L.,
Roepke Ann Marie,
Sawaf Zeina,
Tennen Howard,
White Rebecca M. B.,
Zonneveld Renée
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of personality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.082
H-Index - 144
eISSN - 1467-6494
pISSN - 0022-3506
DOI - 10.1111/jopy.12591
Subject(s) - psychology , personality , psychological resilience , posttraumatic growth , context (archaeology) , set (abstract data type) , personality development , social psychology , clinical psychology , paleontology , computer science , biology , programming language
Objective Post‐traumatic growth typically refers to enduring positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity, trauma, or highly challenging life circumstances. Critics have challenged insights from much of the prior research on this topic, pinpointing its significant methodological limitations. In response to these critiques, we propose that post‐traumatic growth can be more accurately captured in terms of personality change—an approach that affords a more rigorous examination of the phenomenon. Method We outline a set of conceptual and methodological questions and considerations for future work on the topic of post‐traumatic growth. Results We provide a series of recommendations for researchers from across the disciplines of clinical/counseling, developmental, health, personality, and social psychology and beyond, who are interested in improving the quality of research examining resilience and growth in the context of adversity. Conclusion We are hopeful that these recommendations will pave the way for a more accurate understanding of the ubiquity, durability, and causal processes underlying post‐traumatic growth.