Despite strong evidence supporting the existence of posttraumatic growth (PTG), some investigators question whether the construct measured by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) is that of perceived growth or “actual” growth. In a replication of a recent investigation, the present study sought to refine the methodology used by employing the construct of event centrality. Due to its limited sample size, the results of this analysis did not provide strong evidence in support of the hypothesis that limiting analyses to individuals rating their trauma as high in event centrality improves the ability of the PTGI to reflect “actual” growth. However, results did support the idea that investigations of PTG conducted immediately following a trauma may be more reflective of a coping process, rather than growth. Further research is warranted to investigate the role of event centrality in posttraumatic growth, and the effect of time on the progression of growth following trauma.

When will people empathize with and help others? The goal of this research was to determine whether a prosocial orientation results from experiencing trauma. Recent research suggests there may be positive consequences to suffering. Under certain conditions, such as when people experience post-traumatic growth, past suffering can lead to personal benefits. Building on this body of research, one aim of this thesis was to investigate the impact of subjective traumatic suffering and psychological distress on post-traumatic growth and empathy. The second aim of this research was to examine whether objective trauma severity predicts post-traumatic growth. Finally, the third aim of this research was to examine the relationship between post-traumatic growth and empathy and the simultaneous impact of these variables on a prosocial orientation. Study 1 assessed these aforementioned relationships and Study 2 included a manipulation of post-traumatic growth and a behavioural outcome measure of prosocial behaviour. Structural equation models for Study 1 and 2 indicated that subjective traumatic suffering and objective trauma severity positively predicted post-traumatic growth, and post-traumatic growth positively predicted empathy. In turn, empathy positively predicted several prosocial outcomes. Thus, empathy mediated the link between post-traumatic growth and a prosocial orientation. In contrast to subjective traumatic suffering, psychological distress was unrelated to post-traumatic growth and negatively predicted empathy. Study 2 further indicated that focusing on one’s growth in regards to trauma resulted in greater post-traumatic growth scores, but the manipulation had no direct impact on empathy or a prosocial orientation. The current findings have important social and clinical implications.

When will people empathize with and help others? The goal of this research was to determine whether a prosocial orientation results from experiencing trauma. Recent research suggests there may be positive consequences to suffering. Under certain conditions, such as when people experience post-traumatic growth, past suffering can lead to personal benefits. Building on this body of research, one aim of this thesis was to investigate the impact of subjective traumatic suffering and psychological distress on post-traumatic growth and empathy. The second aim of this research was to examine whether objective trauma severity predicts post-traumatic growth. Finally, the third aim of this research was to examine the relationship between post-traumatic growth and empathy and the simultaneous impact of these variables on a prosocial orientation. Study 1 assessed these aforementioned relationships and Study 2 included a manipulation of post-traumatic growth and a behavioural outcome measure of prosocial behaviour. Structural equation models for Study 1 and 2 indicated that subjective traumatic suffering and objective trauma severity positively predicted post-traumatic growth, and post-traumatic growth positively predicted empathy. In turn, empathy positively predicted several prosocial outcomes. Thus, empathy mediated the link between post-traumatic growth and a prosocial orientation. In contrast to subjective traumatic suffering, psychological distress was unrelated to post-traumatic growth and negatively predicted empathy. Study 2 further indicated that focusing on one’s growth in regards to trauma resulted in greater post-traumatic growth scores, but the manipulation had no direct impact on empathy or a prosocial orientation. The current findings have important social and clinical implications.

Research related to positive psychological reactions following exposure to traumatic events, also known as post-traumatic growth (PTG), has suggested that support from others can facilitate such outcomes. The current study focused on whether people's perceptions of PTG differed based on the gender of a hypothetical survivor and nature of the trauma. Characterological differences amongst those who perceive growth as being more, or less, likely was also of interest. Perceptions of growth were measured in relation to three possible traumatic scenarios (vignettes) that were randomly assigned to participants. Following the vignette, participants completed a variety of self-report measures. Contrary to previous PTG literature, there were no consistent characterological differences among participants who did, and who did not, perceive growth as a possible outcome following trauma exposure. PTG was not related to nature of the trauma or gender of the survivor. Implications for clinical practice and future directions for research are discussed.

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Introduction: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects as many as 30 percent of United States veterans, who are often at greater risk for PTSD, due to adverse military experiences (e.g., combat injury). PTSD occurs when the natural process of recovery is obstructed by the individual’s cognitions and emotions, such as guilt, related to the traumatic event. Guilt has emerged in the literature as a significant contributor to the development and maintenance of PTSD. As such, researchers have sought protective factors that may attenuate the association between guilt and PTSD. One such factor, self-compassion, may facilitate the natural process of recovery, perhaps by promoting the process of posttraumatic growth (PTG) – a process of adaptive growth following a trauma. Our study examined the direct association between guilt and symptoms of PTSD, and the potential mediating role of self-compassion and PTG. At the bivariate level, we hypothesized that guilt will be inversely related to self-compassion and PTG, and positively associated with PTSD symptoms. At the multivariate level, we hypothesized that guilt will be directly related to PTSD symptoms and, further, indirectly related via its serial association with self-compassion and PTG. Methods: Participants (N = 172) in this IRB-approved study were recruited via online invitations distributed to veterans-related social media groups and national organizations (e.g., Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] chapters). Participants were included in the study if they reported experiencing injury during combat. Participants completed self-report surveys including the Differential Emotions Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory – Short Form, and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) – Military Version. Results: At the bivariate level, symptoms of PTSD were positively associated with guilt and both were negatively associated with self-compassion and PTG. Self-compassion and PTG were positively associated. At the multivariate level, guilt exhibited a significant total effect on PTSD that, while remaining significant, was significantly reduced when accounting for self-compassion and PTG. Guilt also exhibited a significant total indirect effect, via its deleterious impact on self-compassion. No other indirect pathways were significant. Conclusions: The association between guilt and symptoms of PTSD may be due, in part, to the stifling effect of guilt on self-compassion and post-traumatic growth. Therapeutically reducing guilt, perhaps via cognitive restructuring (e.g., about the nature of, or role in, trauma), or promoting self-compassion (e.g., via self-soothing, guided meditation; blessings journal) may, in turn, reduce symptoms of PTSD.

This study examined measures of disease specific quality of life (DSQOL), coping, and benefit finding for differences between ethnic groups in a diverse sample of men treated for localized prostate cancer. The relationship between DSQOL and benefit finding was also evaluated, along with the relationship between coping and benefit finding. Ethnicity was evaluated as a possible moderator of the relationship between DSQOL and benefit finding, and coping was examined as a possible mediator. Results demonstrated that while minority men did show decrements in urinary function, sexual function scores were similar between groups. Furthermore, minority men reported higher levels of benefit finding as well as more frequent use of active and passive coping strategies. DSQOL was not associated with benefit finding, and the relationship was not moderated by ethnicity or mediated by coping. However, benefit finding was associated with ethnic minority status, religious group identification and less yearly income. Both active and passive coping composites were also related to benefit finding. These findings contribute to current literature on factors related to benefit finding in prostate cancer survivors. Limitations of the current study, as well as future directions are explored in the discussion.

Scholarly articles related to the physical and emotional effects of prostate cancer treatment and survivorship are abundant. However, few researchers have explored resiliency of prostate cancer survivors through their recovery and survivorship experience. There is a gap in the literature regarding resilience through the lived experiences of prostate cancer survivors. Counselor educators could be better prepared to teach counselors to promote the resilience needs of prostate cancer survivors. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of prostate cancer survivors. Coding analysis of data collected from interviews of 7 participants generated 3 major themes and 30 subthemes of experiences. Themes included experiences and feelings surrounding the cancer diagnosis, descriptions of resilience, and the personal growth the participants gained from their experiences. The results of this study give voice to their challenges and offer insight into how prostate cancer survivors find meaning while adapting constructively to adversity and resilience. A clearer understanding of these experiences may promote understanding of the prostate cancer experience for men, offer insight for promoting resilience among prostate cancer survivors, and give clues to the experiences of other populations responding to cancer.

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