Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG): Transforming Trauma into Strength

Authors: Isha Kostek, Christina Poor

SUNY Campus: SUNY Cobleskill

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 58

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG): Transforming Trauma into Strength This project provides a review and exploration on the concept of Post-traumatic Growth (PTG). This is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals experience positive changes in their lives after going through trauma or adversity. The experience of PTG can occur in connection to a variety of significant life events an individual go through - like a serious illness, a loved one dying, or a protracted personal conflict. Reframing their thinking is a cognitive process that involves finding meaning and purpose in their experience, ultimately leading to a renewed sense of life’s meaning and direction. This project explores how current research conceptualizes how PTG is different from simple recovery, emphasizing that growth after trauma involves a profound transformation in the way people see themselves and their relationships with others. Through research analyses, this project identifies patterns of growth that seem fairly common, like being more empathetic, savoring life, or reprioritizing what's important. As it unfolds these findings, the research highlights the societal and cultural contexts that influence PTG, suggesting that people grow after trauma in part because of the different forms of support or pressure they're given. By investigating these contexts, the project considers the possibility that healing, not just trauma, shapes you- helping you grow and, in some cases, become a profoundly different person.