The goal of this qualitative study was to examine the strengths and posttraumatic growth experiences of a community of female refugees from Burma resettled in a Midwestern city of the United States. Based on data gathered from eleven participants, consensual qualitative research analysis yielded a thematic overview of two domains: (a) coping and resilience, and (b) experiences of posttraumatic growth. The results provided contextual evidence to the preresettlement and postresettlement stressors experienced by Burmese refugee women in resettlement. Findings also highlight the strengths, protective factors, and resources of Burmese refugee women, whose narratives of positive growth and change seem to coexist with memories and experiences of trauma, suffering, and hardship. Implications for research and clinical practice as well as future directions are discussed.

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Research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals has primarily focused on experiences of distress and discrimination (Bonet, Wells, & Parsons, 2007;Riggle, Whitman, Olson, Rostosky, & Strong, 2008). Although these findings are informative, little has been done to examine these identities within a positive psychology framework. Coming Out Growth (COG) presents itself as a positive psychology phenomenon being studied in the LGB population (Vaughan & Waehler, 2010), but has focused mostly on lesbian and gay (LG) individuals. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, the present study sought to examine the experiences of bisexual individuals who reported COG, thereby looking at bisexual identities within a positive psychology framework. Thirteen participants who self-identified as bisexual and had experienced positive growth/changes since coming out were interviewed about their COG experiences. Participants' ages ranged from 23 to 61 (M ϭ 36). Nine participants identified as European American and the remaining participants (n ϭ 4) identified as Latina. Participants reported COG in three primary forms: intrapersonal growth (e.g., living more authentically, improved mental health), interpersonal growth (e.g., improved relationships, greater advocacy in daily interactions), and increased critical consciousness (i.e., greater awareness of privilege and oppression). They reported various contextual factors (e.g., family support, bisexual role models, and sociopolitical climate), resources (e.g., mental health treatment, higher education institutions), and experiences of discrimination impacting their growth. These results and their implications offer insight into how therapists can better identify and facilitate coming out growth for bisexual individuals. Public Significance StatementThis study illuminates the benefits of coming out as bisexual, such as having noticeable positive changes within oneself, in relation with others, and in society. Various factors influence one's ability to achieve these positive changes, such as one's cultural environment, their resources, and their experiences of discrimination.

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A small but growing group of refugees and asylum seekers are members of the LGBTQ+ community. This identity may be separate from their identity as a refugee, or it might be the reason for their refugee status. Many refugees flee countries in which identifying as LGBTQ+ is considered a crime, sometimes punishable by death. The unique challenges of this population concerning forced migration, resettlement, and acculturation to host nations are addressed in the present chapter.