Traumatic experiences are so common that quite a lot of people have experienced at least one significant traumatic event (e.g., natural disasters, terrorism, war, critical illness, bereavement, etc.) at some point in their lives. After exposure to traumatic events, individuals may show a wide range of mental and physical health consequences, wherein posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent ones. Nevertheless, many traumatized people also report positive psychological changes in various domains, such as personal strength, relational intimacy, sense of spirituality, appreciation of life, and life possibilities. Such positive changes are collectively defined as posttraumatic growth (PTG).
Recent studies indicate that PTSD and PTG can co-exist in traumatized individuals, thus relevant research and intervention should expand their focus from PTSD to a combination of PTSD and PTG. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to bring together the findings from empirical studies, case reports, intervention studies, etc., on PTSD and/or PTG, to further understand the epidemiological characteristics, predictors, mechanisms, and specific interventions of PTSD and/or PTG in various people following different traumatic events.
Manuscripts that examine the relationship between PTSD and PTG, and that assess the different predictors of PTSD and PTG are both welcome. We are also delighted to receive reviews, meta-analyses, as well as commentaries in this area.
Traumatic experiences are so common that quite a lot of people have experienced at least one significant traumatic event (e.g., natural disasters, terrorism, war, critical illness, bereavement, etc.) at some point in their lives. After exposure to traumatic events, individuals may show a wide range of mental and physical health consequences, wherein posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prevalent ones. Nevertheless, many traumatized people also report positive psychological changes in various domains, such as personal strength, relational intimacy, sense of spirituality, appreciation of life, and life possibilities. Such positive changes are collectively defined as posttraumatic growth (PTG).
Recent studies indicate that PTSD and PTG can co-exist in traumatized individuals, thus relevant research and intervention should expand their focus from PTSD to a combination of PTSD and PTG. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to bring together the findings from empirical studies, case reports, intervention studies, etc., on PTSD and/or PTG, to further understand the epidemiological characteristics, predictors, mechanisms, and specific interventions of PTSD and/or PTG in various people following different traumatic events.
Manuscripts that examine the relationship between PTSD and PTG, and that assess the different predictors of PTSD and PTG are both welcome. We are also delighted to receive reviews, meta-analyses, as well as commentaries in this area.