Potential for Post-Pandemic Growth
Understanding the impacts of trauma has deepened over recent years as many healthcare providers, institutions, and organizations move toward trauma-informed care (ITC). The damaging effects of trauma have been well-researched, ranging from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma can alter the way individuals view themselves, others, and the world around them. While some experience the adverse effects for a brief period, others can experience ongoing distress.
As we find ourselves amidst the collective trauma of Covid-19, it’s important to shed light on a lesser talked about phenomenon: posttraumatic growth. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a theory that explains the “positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.”
Though the concept has been around for thousands of years in religion and philosophy, psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun first coined the term in the mid-1990s. The theory posits that those who endure psychological distress following trauma can often experience positive growth afterward.
“People develop new understandings of themselves, the world they live in, how to relate to other people, the kind of future they might have, and a better understanding of how to live life.”
PTG can be observed in five general areas:
Appreciation for life
Facing a traumatic event or major life crisis can often lead to a greater appreciation of time and being alive. People find themselves valuing things they may have previously taken for granted. It can cultivate a shift in perspective and foster meaning-making.
Relationships with others
Enduring a psychologically distressing situation can sometimes generate new ways of relating to others. Some individuals develop a deeper connection with their loved ones or to those who’ve also suffered. They can experience an enhanced sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding.
New possibilities
A sense of new opportunities can arise after overcoming trauma. Many individuals tend to change their priorities, which opens up possibilities that may not have been present before. This can also include increased motivation to change aspects of life that are not fulfilling or increased motivation to work towards new goals.
Personal strength
Many may experience increased mental/emotional strength and self-esteem. A sense of, “If I lived through that, I could face anything,” may emerge.
Spiritual change
Individuals may also experience a drastic change in their belief system. While for some, that can include a deepening of religious values, for others, it can involve recognizing the profound nature of life.
Who Experiences PTG?
Though it depends on the trauma, the circumstances, and the timing of measurement, research indicates that 30%-70% of survivors experience PTG in one or more areas. Most studies demonstrate that PTG generally remains stable over time, while a few others show some increases and some decreases.
Two specific traits appear to make an individual more likely to experience PTG: openness to experience and extraversion. Those who are open to experiences are more likely to reconsider old belief systems and adapt to change. Those who are more extroverted may be more likely to actively seek social support and connection to help them get through the trauma.
Resilience can sometimes be confused for PTG, but the two are not synonymous. While developing resilience as a result of facing trauma is an example of PTG, resilience itself is a personality attribute. It can be described as “the ability to bounce back.” Those who are inherently resilient may not be as likely to get as severely impacted by the event and may not need to expand their belief system as a result. PTG refers to when individuals who are less resilient experience a traumatic event that directly challenges their core beliefs and endure psychological distress go on to find positive change and personal growth. It is a process that takes a significant amount of effort and energy.
Important Clarifications
A part of trauma recovery involves shifting the perspective from “victim” to “survivor.” This can happen through taking a strength-based approach as opposed to remaining focused on the negative impacts of the trauma after it’s no longer helpful. With that said, It’s important not to introduce or promote the concept of PTG on someone that is not yet ready. The goal of PTG is not to deny or minimize the suffering faced as a result of trauma, but rather to instill a sense of hope that positive change can occur following adversity. An individual can experience growth and significant suffering simultaneously. While the ideal would be that no one suffers a major life crisis or traumatic event, it is often an inevitable part of life. Increasing the awareness that those who experience trauma can not only “survive” but go on to “thrive” is a crucial element in the process of healing. PTG does not occur as a direct result of the trauma itself; it is how the individual responds and develops from within through their struggle.
PTG and Covid-19
How can we apply the concept of PTG to the current challenges we’re facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic?
In many ways, it has brought life as we know it to a screeching halt. While frustrating, perhaps it provides an opportunity to reflect on which aspects of life we may have previously taken for granted. Warm embraces with loved ones, watching your favorite artist perform live in a crowd of people, traveling, or even going to work may be a few examples. Perhaps when we overcome this challenging period, we can approach these parts of life with greater appreciation.
We’re not only being reminded of our fragility but of the interdependence of the world in which we live. Having gone through these extenuating circumstances as a collective, maybe we can learn how to better relate to one another, exercise more compassion and empathy, and deepen our relationships. Many have experienced the challenges of social isolation as a result of quarantine and social distancing, highlighting the importance of having social support and connection.
The virus has reminded us of our mortality and how quickly life can change. Perhaps this can cause a shift in perspective by reevaluating priorities and the ways we may have previously moved through life. We may cultivate a redefined sense of purpose and motivation to make the changes to live more fulfilling lives. Perhaps it will encourage people to pursue long-forgotten dreams, ambitions, and goals or even create new ones that are better aligned with their interests.
Overcoming this challenging period despite all the suffering it has caused may influence individuals to recognize their personal strengths. Perhaps it will highlight our ability to adapt to extremely undesirable conditions and find ways to navigate through them. Perhaps it will disrupt our old belief systems about ourselves, others, and the world positively. For some, that may involve a deepening of their spiritual values, and for others, a deepening of their connection to themselves.
The goal is to reflect on how we can all use this experience to enhance our lives once this has passed. What has this pandemic taught us as individuals and as a society? How can it help us foster meaning in our lives? Knowing that like everything in life, this is temporary, how can we look forward to a better, more meaningful future?
The current situation is far from ideal, but it requires radical acceptance and a sense of solidarity to be overcome. Perhaps this is our chance to slow down and prioritize healing. To embrace personal growth by bringing everything to a screeching, abrupt halt so that we are forced to face ourselves. To learn how to sit in the discomfort and work through the pain and come out on the other side a better version, the one we’ve always dreamed of being one day.