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Adolescent Posttraumatic Growth: A Review

Child Psychiatry & Human Development volume 52, pages 596–608 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Existing literature on posttraumatic growth following adverse experiences has questioned adolescent capacity to experience such growth given immature cognitive and affective development. The aim of this review was to conduct the first review of the literature regarding post-traumatic growth among adolescents (ages 12–18) to determine whether there is empirical evidence of adolescent post-traumatic growth. Results of the review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, are reported to (1) summarize existing support for adolescent post-traumatic growth within available empirical literature, (2) discuss potential moderators of adolescent post-traumatic growth occurrence, and (3) review existing measures of post-traumatic growth. Evidence of adolescent post-traumatic growth was found within three studies with correlational designs and two studies with longitudinal designs. The majority of the literature regarding adolescent post-traumatic growth provides initial support in the form of correlational evidence; however, such support is difficult to empirically establish given the lack of longitudinal studies in this area. Critiques of the extant research and areas for future research are discussed.

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  1. Department of Psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, USA

    Jennifer Harmon

  2. Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, USA

    Amanda Venta

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  1. Jennifer Harmon
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Correspondence to Amanda Venta.

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Harmon, J., Venta, A. Adolescent Posttraumatic Growth: A Review. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 52, 596–608 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01047-9

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Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • Trauma
  • Post-traumatic growth
  • Psychological change