Testing Theoretical Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the new theoretical model of PTG, alongside a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to the ongoing distress that is often experienced by trauma survivors. The study examined the direct pathway to PTG and PTSS through previously identified predictors including core belief disruption, event centrality, and rumination, with the addition of self-disclosure as a predictor variable. Method: Participants (N = 231) who had experienced a traumatic event were recruited through online forums and completed an anonymous survey. Factor analysis revealed 2 distinct types of disclosure: helpful and unhelpful. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regressions. Results: The findings supported a combination of event centrality, core-belief disruption, deliberate rumination, and helpful disclosure significantly predicting PTG, with event centrality and unhelpful disclosure being significant predictors of PTSS. Conclusions: The current findings provide support for the direct pathway described in the model of PTG, and that PTSS and PTG share some similar predictors, as well as distinct differences. These findings have the potential to assist clinicians and researchers in recognizing factors that are likely promote the development of PTG. Clinical Impact Statement This study includes clinically relevant findings in relation to the important role that predictor variables listed in the most recent theoretical model of PTG play in both PTG and PTSS. Further, it investigates a person's subjective experience of self-disclosure and whether this experience led to positive or negative posttrauma outcomes. Findings are applicable to all practitioners working with clients who have experienced trauma and suggest that solely focusing on symptom reduction may not be optimal in promoting positive posttrauma outcomes.