Recent trauma literature has supported a philosophical shift from a pathogenic to a salutogenic paradigm in which the focus is on positive, as well as negative, posttrauma changes; however, empirical knowledge exploring the different domains of positive change or posttraumatic growth (PTG) is scarce. The present study investigated the multidimensionality of PTG in Australian undergraduate students (N = 219). Results indicated five factors for the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and moderate levels of PTG. Trauma severity was found to significantly predict PTG in addition to a positive correlation between PTG and negative posttrauma effects. While not negating negative effects of traumatic experiences, this area of traumatology research has important implications for redefining the "victims" of trauma as individuals capable of positive change rather than merely surviving. © 2005 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Published online in Wiley InterScience.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Psychology
Research Group:	Clinical and health psychology
Research Field:	Health psychology
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in psychology
UTAS Author:	Morris, BA (Ms Bronwyn Morris)
UTAS Author:	Shakespeare-Finch, JE (Dr Jane Shakespeare-Finch)
ID Code:	36401
Year Published:	2005
Web of Science® Times Cited:	120
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-04-08
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