From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to Posttraumatic Growth: A Paradigm Shift or Paradox?

Abstract

Trauma, unfortunately, is an all too common part of today's world. The construct posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been the dominant paradigm to guide researchers and clinicians in the United States and around the world in their efforts to understand and help persons who have experienced trauma. However, PTSD as a diagnosis and this theoretical construct has some problems and limitations, particularly when considered from a global perspective. The author explores the less widely studied construct of posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a phenomenon that avoids some of the problems of PTSD and asks the question: Does it represent a paradigm shift or a paradox? The author seeks to consider this issue from a global perspective and discusses Syrian refugees as a case study.

Acculturation stress and post-traumatic growth among female North Korean defectors: A moderated mediation effect of loneliness and neighborhood social cohesion

“…In other research, acculturation stress caused by unemployment and poor social adaptation was negatively correlated with PTG among refugees in Norway [25]. Since PTG is based on diverse traumatic experiences, PTG cannot be characterized simply and clearly [44]. Acculturation stress, religion, and mental health are associated with PTG among refugees or disaster victims, but results have varied according to background characteristics of such persons [45,46].…”

Factors associated with posttraumatic growth among North Korean defectors in South Korea

“…While pathological phenomena such as PTSS and mental disorders among North Korean defectors have been the focus of considerable research, there has been less attention on PTG, which contributes to their overall growth and quality of life 5 , 20 . Moreover, clinicians and therapists working with traumatized North Korean defectors often focus on reducing PTSS, rather than facilitating positive change, despite the inherently problematic aspects of such a PTSD-centered approach 21 . As with any psychiatric diagnosis, PTSD-related stigma can make it harder for North Korean defectors to seek mental health services to reduce their PTSS.…”

“…Baumann et al 21 recently suggested that PTG as a phenomenon avoids the pitfalls of a PTSD-focused approach, and maintains mental health based on the conservation of resources model, which assumes that traumatized people seek to conserve the resources they have. According to this model, sustained or severe threat of loss of resources (e.g., adequate social support from family, social networks, or socioeconomic status) is critical to one’s well-being.…”

“…While PTG occurs after a trauma, it develops not because of the traumatic event itself, but because of the individual’s efforts to overcome the traumatic experience through a new reality 8 . For example, Baumann et al 21 considered successful coping mechanisms used by displaced Syrian refugees as PTG; adapting to new norms, accepting changes, reaching out for support, and maintaining mental fortitude despite their loss of resources, led to the discovery of new resources. Similarly, North Korean defectors often lose critical resources in the process of escape, but they can recover from these traumatic experiences by finding new resources to buffer against possible future events.…”

“…Similarly, North Korean defectors often lose critical resources in the process of escape, but they can recover from these traumatic experiences by finding new resources to buffer against possible future events. This process is associated with an increased appreciation of existing resources, more meaningful relationships, and a sense of personal strength following the traumatic and challenging events 21 .…”