Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive psychological change that can potentially occur in the aftermath of a highly stressful event. This growth can unfold across the following domains: personal strength, appreciation for life, new possibilities, relating to others, and spiritual change. In addition to producing positive psychological outcomes, PTG can also impact physical health. This chapter focuses on the associations between PTG and various physical health outcomes within the context of brain function and chronic conditions, such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and spinal cord injury (SCI). Findings suggest that PTG may be associated with more positive health outcomes over the long term and that it may also help to mitigate subsequent stress associated with chronic illnesses and conditions. Implications and future directions are also discussed.

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Posttraumatic Growth and Physical Health

  • Ana I. Orejuela Dávila,
  • Richard G. Tedeschi

摘要

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive psychological change that can potentially occur in the aftermath of a highly stressful event. This growth can unfold across the following domains: personal strength, appreciation for life, new possibilities, relating to others, and spiritual change. In addition to producing positive psychological outcomes, PTG can also impact physical health. This chapter focuses on the associations between PTG and various physical health outcomes within the context of brain function and chronic conditions, such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and spinal cord injury (SCI). Findings suggest that PTG may be associated with more positive health outcomes over the long term and that it may also help to mitigate subsequent stress associated with chronic illnesses and conditions. Implications and future directions are also discussed.