Positive Outcomes Following Bereavement: Paths to Posttraumatic Growth
Abstract
Recent theory and research have drawn attention to the need to better understand the positive changes, termed posttraumatic growth, that often occur in bereaved individuals; even as negative emotions related to grief persist. We describe five dimensions of posttraumatic growth and present a model for understanding how the loss of a close other can eventually lead to a recognition of important positive personal changes. Loss, especially unexpected loss, disrupts an individual's beliefs about the world and initiates a process of rebuilding an understanding. During this process, many people come to realise their own strengths, appreciate the impact of their relationships, and have new spiritual insights. A strategy for facilitating growth during clinical work also is described.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/pb-50-1-2-125 | Journal eISSN: 0033-2879
Language: English
Page range: 125 - 143
Published on: Sep 1, 2010
Published by: Ubiquity Press
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year
© 2010 Lawrence G Calhoun, Richard G Tedeschi, Arnie Cann, Emily A Hanks, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.