Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Posttraumatic Growth: An Analysis of the Concept Based on Rodgers’ Concept Development

  • Philosophical Exploration
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The concept of posttraumatic growth appears frequently in the psychology literature. However, there is no clear definition of it. The purpose of this study was to determine its attributes, antecedents, and consequents. Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis method was used. Data analysis was implemented using thematic analysis. The results showed that posttraumatic growth is a complex concept with four main attributes including spiritual changes, compassion toward others, appreciation of life, and improved self-understanding. Clarifying the concept of posttraumatic growth and identifying its features can be used to design nursing interventions to develop posttraumatic growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, A. B., & Leary, M. R. (2010). Self-Compassion, stress, and coping. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4(2), 107–118.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Arikan, G., & Karanci, N. (2012). Attachment and coping as facilitators of posttraumatic growth in Turkish university students experiencing traumatic events. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 13(2), 209–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azizzadeh Forouzi, M., Roudi RashtAbadi, O. S., Heidarzadeh, A., Malkyan, L., & Ghazanfarabadi, M. (2018). Studying the relationship of posttraumatic growth with religious coping and social support among earthquake victims of Bam. Health in Emergencies and Disasters, 4(1), 55–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barskova, T., & Oesterreich, R. (2009). Post-traumatic growth in people living with a serious medical condition and its relations to physical and mental health: A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 31(21), 1709–1733.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barton-Burke, M., Smith, E., Frain, J., & Loggins, C. (2010). Advanced cancer in underserved populations. Paper presented at the Seminars in Oncology Nursing.

  • Bellizzi, K. M. (2004). Expressions of generativity and posttraumatic growth in adult cancer survivors. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 58(4), 267–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bellizzi, K. M., & Blank, T. O. (2006). Predicting posttraumatic growth in breast cancer survivors. Health Psychology, 25(1), 47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ari, O. T., Findler, L., & Ben Shlomo, S. (2013). When couples become grandparents: Factors associated with the growth of each spouse. Social Work Research, 37(1), 26–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böttche, M., Kuwert, P., Pietrzak, R. H., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2016). Predictors of outcome of an Internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in older adults. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 89(1), 82–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bower, J. E., Meyerowitz, B. E., Bernaards, C. A., Rowland, J. H., Ganz, P. A., & Desmond, K. A. (2005). Perceptions of positive meaning and vulnerability following breast cancer: Predictors and outcomes among long-term breast cancer survivors. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 29(3), 236–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Broome, M, R. B., Knafl, K. (2000). Concept development in nursing: foundations, techniques and applications. Concept development in nursing: foundations, techniques and applications.

  • Calhoun, L. G., Cann, A., Tedeschi, R. G., & McMillan, J. (2000). A correlational test of the relationship between posttraumatic growth, religion, and cognitive processing. Journal of Traumatic Stress: Official Publication of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, 13(3), 521–527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (1998). Beyond recovery from trauma: Implications for clinical practice and research. Journal of social Issues, 54(2), 357–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2014). The foundations of posttraumatic growth: An expanded framework. In Handbook of posttraumatic growth (pp. 17–37): Routledge.

  • Carroll, M. (2014). Personal growth after traumatic experiences. Nursing Times, 110(31), 23–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L. L., & Fredrickson, B. L. (1998). Influence of HIV status and age on cognitive representations of others. Health Psychology, 17(6), 494.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ching, S. S., Martinson, I. M., & Wong, T. K. (2012). Meaning making: psychological adjustment to breast cancer by Chinese women. Qualitative Health Research, 22(2), 250–262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cieslak, R., Benight, C., Schmidt, N., Luszczynska, A., Curtin, E., Clark, R. A., et al. (2009). Predicting posttraumatic growth among Hurricane Katrina survivors living with HIV: The role of self-efficacy, social support, and PTSD symptoms. Anxiety Stress and Coping, 22(4), 449–463.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cordova, M. J., Giese-Davis, J., Golant, M., Kronenwetter, C., Chang, V., & Spiegel, D. (2007). Breast cancer as trauma: Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 14(4), 308–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahm, K. A., Meyer, E. C., Neff, K. D., Kimbrel, N. A., Gulliver, S. B., & Morissette, S. B. (2015). Mindfulness, self-compassion, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and functional disability in US Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(5), 460–464.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fazel, M., Farahbakhs, B. H. K., & Esmaeili, M. (2017). Post traumatic growth Model in cancer patients: A Grounded Theory Study. Quarterly Journal of Counseling & Psychotherapy, 8(29), 79–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkman S, L. R. (1990). Coping and emotion. Psychological and biological approaches to emotion, 313–332.

  • Forgeard, M. J. (2013). Perceiving benefits after adversity: The relationship between self-reported posttraumatic growth and creativity. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 7(3), 245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Given, C. W., Stommel, M., Given, B., Osuch, J., Kurtz, M. E., & Kurtz, J. (1993). The influence of cancer patients’ symptoms and functional states on patients’ depression and family caregivers’ reaction and depression. Health Psychology, 12(4), 277.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldenberg, D., & Iwasiw, C. (1993). Professional socialisation of nursing students as an outcome of a senior clinical preceptorship experience. Nurse Education Today, 13(1), 3–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grubaugh, A. L., & Resick, P. A. (2007). Posttraumatic growth in treatment-seeking female assault victims. Psychiatric Quarterly, 78(2), 145–155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hefferon, K., Grealy, M., & Mutrie, N. (2009). Post-traumatic growth and life threatening physical illness: A systematic review of the qualitative literature. British Journal of Health Psychology, 14(2), 343–378.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, S. M., Chan, M. W., Yau, T., & Yeung, R. M. (2011). Relationships between explanatory style, posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among Chinese breast cancer patients. Psychology and Health, 26(3), 269–285.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, S. J. (2006). Coping processes of Midwest flood survivors: A comparison of those with and without prior natural disaster exposure: The University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

  • Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A. (2006). Growth following adversity: Theoretical perspectives and implications for clinical practice. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(8), 1041–1053.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T. B., & Kane, J. Q. (2011). Post-traumatic distress and the presence of post-traumatic growth and meaning in life: Experiential avoidance as a moderator. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(1), 84–89.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Keidar, M. (2013). Conceptualization of post traumatic growth in the work of expert trauma therapists.

  • Koutrouli, N., Anagnostopoulos, F., & Potamianos, G. (2012). Posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth in breast cancer patients: a systematic review. Women and Health, 52(5), 503–516.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kucukkaya, P. G. (2010). An exploratory study of positive life changes in Turkish women diagnosed with breast cancer. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 14(2), 166–173.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kurtz, M. E., Kurtz, J., Given, C. W., & Given, B. (1995). Relationship of caregiver reactions and depression to cancer patients’ symptoms, functional states and depression—a longitudinal view. Social Science and Medicine, 40(6), 837–846.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, D., & DeSteno, D. (2016). Suffering and compassion: The links among adverse life experiences, empathy, compassion, and prosocial behavior. Emotion, 16(2), 175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, J.-W. (2019). The role of post-traumatic growth in promoting healthy behavior for couples coping with cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(3), 829–838.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindstrom, C. M., Cann, A., Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2013). The relationship of core belief challenge, rumination, disclosure, and sociocultural elements to posttraumatic growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 5(1), 50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackintosh, C. (2006). Caring: the socialisation of pre-registration student nurses: a longitudinal qualitative descriptive study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43(8), 953–962.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malhotra, M., & Chebiyan, S. (2016). Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes following adversity-an overview. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 6(3), 109–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, J. (2010). The long-term effects of posttraumatic growth on coping: The roles of self-efficacy and ruminative thought.

  • Marshall, T. C., Bejanyan, K., & Ferenczi, N. (2013). Attachment styles and personal growth following romantic breakups: The mediating roles of distress, rumination, and tendency to rebound. PLoS ONE, 8(9), e75161.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, L., Byrnes, M., McGarry, S., Rea, S., & Wood, F. (2017). Posttraumatic growth after burn in adults: An integrative literature review. Burns, 43(3), 459–470.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martos, T., Thege, B. K., & Steger, M. F. (2010). It’s not only what you hold, it’s how you hold it: Dimensions of religiosity and meaning in life. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(8), 863–868.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McElheran, M., Briscoe-Smith, A., Khaylis, A., Westrup, D., Hayward, C., & Gore-Felton, C. (2012). A conceptual model of post-traumatic growth among children and adolescents in the aftermath of sexual abuse. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 25(1), 73–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meghani, S. H. (2004). A concept analysis of palliative care in the United States. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(2), 152–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehrabi, E., Hajian, S., Simbar, M., Houshyari, M., & Zayeri, F. (2015). Post-traumatic growth: a qualitative analysis of experiences regarding positive psychological changes among Iranian women with breast cancer. Electronic physician, 7(5), 1239.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Milam, J. (2006). Posttraumatic growth and HIV disease progression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 817.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrill, E. F., Brewer, N. T., O’Neill, S. C., Lillie, S. E., Dees, E. C., Carey, L. A., et al. (2008). The interaction of post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress symptoms in predicting depressive symptoms and quality of life. Psycho-Oncology: Journal of the Psychological, Social and Behavioral Dimensions of Cancer, 17(9), 948–953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, B. A., Shakespeare-Finch, J., & Scott, J. L. (2012). Posttraumatic growth after cancer: The importance of health-related benefits and newfound compassion for others. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20(4), 749–756.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nightingale, V. R., Sher, T. G., & Hansen, N. B. (2010). The impact of receiving an HIV diagnosis and cognitive processing on psychological distress and posttraumatic growth. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(4), 452–460.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the scientific study of religion, 710–724.

  • Park, C. L. (1999). The roles of meaning and growth in the recovery from posttraumatic stress disorder (pp. 249–264). Posttraumatic stress disorder: A lifespan developmental perspective.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, C. L. (2006). Religiousness and religious coping as determinants of stress-related growth. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 28(1), 287–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L. (2009). Optimism, social support, and coping strategies as factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis. Journal of loss and trauma, 14(5), 364–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proffitt, D., Cann, A., Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2007). Judeo-Christian clergy and personal crisis: Religion, posttraumatic growth and well being. Journal of Religion and Health, 46(2), 219–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos, C., & Leal, I. (2013). Posttraumatic growth in the aftermath of trauma: A literature review about related factors and application contexts.

  • Reviews, UoYCF. (2009). Dissemination, systematic Reviews: CRD guidance for understanding reviews in health care. Enter for reviews & Dissemination, University of York.

  • Rodgers, B. L. (2000). Philosophical foundations of concept development. Concept development in nursing 2nd ed Philadelphia: Saunders. 7–37.

  • Salami, S., Zargar, N. A. Y., & Zargar, I. (2017). Effectiveness of trauma-focused behavioral method on post-traumatic growth among abused children. Iranian Journal of Psychitric Nursing, 5(1), 15–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, S. E., & Coleman, E. (1992). Shifts in meaning, purpose, and values following a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among gay men. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 5(1–2), 13–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, 4(3), 219.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, S. D., Blank, T. O., Bellizzi, K. M., & Park, C. L. (2012). The relationship of coping strategies, social support, and attachment style with posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors. Journal of Health Psychology, 17(7), 1033–1040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scrignaro, M., Barni, S., & Magrin, M. E. (2011). The combined contribution of social support and coping strategies in predicting post-traumatic growth: a longitudinal study on cancer patients. Psycho-oncology, 20(8), 823–831.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sears, S. R., Stanton, A. L., & Danoff-Burg, S. (2003). The yellow brick road and the emerald city: benefit finding, positive reappraisal coping and posttraumatic growth in women with early-stage breast cancer. Health Psychology, 22(5), 487.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Positive psychology: An introduction. In Flow and the foundations of positive psychology (pp. 279–298): Springer.

  • Shakespeare-Finch, J. E., Smith, S., Gow, K. M., Embelton, G., & Baird, L. (2003). The prevalence of post-traumatic growth in emergency ambulance personnel. Traumatology, 9(1), 58–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, K., & Schrimshaw, E. W. (2000). Perceiving benefits in adversity: Stress-related growth in women living with HIV/AIDS. Social Science and Medicine, 51(10), 1543–1554.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, K., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Pretter, S. (2005). Stress-related growth among women living with HIV/AIDS: Examination of an explanatory model. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28(5), 403–414.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, B. (2010). Clinical reasoning: Concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66(5), 1151–1158.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sumalla, E. C., Ochoa, C., & Blanco, I. (2009). Posttraumatic growth in cancer: Reality or illusion? Clinical Psychology Review, 29(1), 24–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., & Armor, D. A. (1996). Positive illusions and coping with adversity. Journal of Personality, 64(4), 873–898.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G. (1999). Violence transformed: Posttraumatic growth in survivors and their societies. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 4(3), 319–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeschi, R. G., Park, C. L., & Calhoun, L. G. (1998). Posttraumatic growth: Positive changes in the aftermath of crisis. Abingdon: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tong, A Sp, & Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research(COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus group. International Quality Health Care, 19(6), 349–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuchiya, M., Horn, S., & Ingham, R. (2013). Positive changes in Japanese breast cancer survivors: A qualitative study. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 18(1), 107–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von ELm, E., Altman, D., Egger, M., Pocock, S. J., Gotzsche, P. C., Vandenbrocke, J. P., et al. (2014). The srenghthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement guidlines for reporting observational studies. International Journal Surgery, 12(12), 1495–1499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M.-L., Liu, J.-E., Wang, H.-Y., Chen, J., & Li, Y.-Y. (2014). Posttraumatic growth and associated socio-demographic and clinical factors in Chinese breast cancer survivors. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18(5), 478–483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, T., & Berger, R. (2010). Posttraumatic growth and culturally competent practice: Lessons learned from around the globe. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Werdel, M. B., & Wicks, R. J. (2012). Primer on posttraumatic growth: An introduction and guide. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Widows, M. R., Jacobsen, P. B., Booth-Jones, M., & Fields, K. K. (2005). Predictors of posttraumatic growth following bone marrow transplantation for cancer. Health Psychology, 24(3), 266.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, C. C. Y., & Yeung, N. C. (2017). Self-compassion and posttraumatic growth: Cognitive processes as mediators. Mindfulness, 8(4), 1078–1087.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X., Hu, M.-L., Song, Y., Lu, Z.-X., Chen, Y.-Q., Wu, D.-X., et al. (2016). Effect of positive psychological intervention on posttraumatic growth among primary healthcare workers in China: A preliminary prospective study. Scientific reports, 6, 39189.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zamanzadeh, V., Valizadeh, L., Rahmani, A., van der Cingel, M., & Ghafourifard, M. (2018). Factors facilitating nurses to deliver compassionate care: A qualitative study. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 32(1), 92–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai, J., Newton, J., & Copnell, B. (2019). Posttraumatic growth experiences and its contextual factors in women with breast cancer: An integrative review. Health care for women international, 1–27.

  • Zoellner, T., & Maercker, A. (2006). Posttraumatic growth in clinical psychology—A critical review and introduction of a two component model. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(5), 626–653.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Vice Chancellor of research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Banafsheh Tehranineshat & Camellia Torabizadeh

Authors
  1. Banafsheh Tehranineshat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Camellia Torabizadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Camellia Torabizadeh.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tehranineshat, B., Torabizadeh, C. Posttraumatic Growth: An Analysis of the Concept Based on Rodgers’ Concept Development. J Relig Health 60, 2728–2744 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01144-y

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01144-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation