Posttraumatic Growth and Depreciation Following Childhood Maltreatment: Co-Occurrence and Cognitive Differentiators

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic depreciation (PTD) are two possible outcomes of meaning-making following trauma. Differentiators of these sequelae in childhood maltreatment (CM) survivors, individuals who have experienced childhood emotional, physical, sexual abuse, emotional, and/or physical neglect, and the extent to which PTG and PTD co-occur among CM survivors are unknown. Co-occurrence and cognitive differentiators of PTG and PTD were examined in 326 undergraduates endorsing CM. Fifteen percent endorsed both PTG and PTD in one or more domains. Event centrality, examination of core beliefs, and deliberate rumination fostered growth. Only negative self-cognitions were related to PTD, while the rejection of negative beliefs about self and world was related to growth. Addressing cognitive components of meaning-making and beliefs may be critical for supporting resilience and ameliorating self-depreciation for maltreatment survivors.