Relationships among non‐interpersonal and interpersonal trauma types, posttraumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth

• Published in: Journal of clinical psychology Vol. 77; no. 11; pp. 2592 - 2608
• Main Authors: Thomas, Elizabeth A., Owens, Gina P., Keller, Emily M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Periodicals Inc 01-11-2021
• Subjects: curvilinear; linear; Post-traumatic growth; posttraumatic growth; posttraumatic stress; Trauma; trauma type
• ISSN: 0021-9762; 1097-4679
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23190

Methods
Adults seeking behavioral health or medical treatment (N = 158) were recruited from a community healthcare agency and a residential support program in the southeastern United States.
Results
Individuals who reported interpersonal trauma had significantly higher total PTS severity and symptom clusters. No significant difference was found in perceived PTG based on trauma type. No significant curvilinear relationship between PTS and perceived PTG was found. A significant negative linear relationship was observed between PTS and perceived PTG for non‐interpersonal trauma, but not interpersonal trauma.
Conclusion
Trauma type may influence the PTS and perceived PTG relationship and, while associated with PTS, seems less important to reporting of perceived PTG.