Coping Processes and Dimensions of Posttraumatic Growth

The emergence of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) research in an oncology setting is highlighting the different individual and situational characteristics that promote the perception of benefits, in particular the role of coping processes used post-diagnosis. These coping processes were assessed in a sample of 335 men and women, with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses, treated in a regional Australian hospital in a two year time period. Positive change and coping were measured with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the COPE Inventory. Results show that positive refraining is positively correlated with all PTGI factors and focussing on/venting emotions, social support engagement, and active coping are associated with two dimensions of PTG (New Possibilities and Relating to Others). Furthermore, a comparable pattern of correlations between PTG and coping was found in a sample of emergency service workers' perceptions of benefits following workplace trauma. The current study highlights the multidimensional nature of PTG and the coping processes associated with different areas of growth. Further research can be conducted longitudinally in order to identify the differential processes of adaptation that lead to each area of growth.