POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH: The Transformative Power of Pain
Tedeschi and Calhoun (1995), after traumatic events, coping with the pain caused by trauma
They expressed the positive cognitive and behavioral changes resulting from quit attempts with the term post-traumatic
growth. This change does not occur as a natural consequence of the traumatic experience
, but occurs simultaneously with the stress
during the person's process of coping with this stress after the event. The degree of growth varies from person to person. Post-traumatic growth
does not refer to a return to the state of well-being before the traumatic event, but to the development of psychological functionality and awareness of life. In a study conducted by Young (2007) with women who were exposed to violence, the rate of women who felt stronger and reported improvement in their interpersonal relationships was 71.6%. It has been found.
In this process, the perceptions of social support and coping styles are also important factors in terms of the psychological health of people who are exposed to stressful life events. Social support can help people
make sense of the traumatic event by helping them open up after the traumatic event. Studies have found that people who perceive social support from their environment and who are supported by their environment in their coping efforts show fewer psychological symptoms (Prati and 19 Pietrantoni, 2010; Beeble, Bybee, Sullivan and Adams, 2009;
Meadows, Kaslow and Thompson, 2005). In a study conducted by Lodewijks (2011), he stated that perceived
social support functions as a protective factor
against "revictimization".
According to Tedeschi and Calhoun's model, people can develop in three dimensions
after their traumatic experiences. These areas are expressed as "change in self-perception", "change in interpersonal
relationships" and "change in philosophy of life".
Dimensions of Post-Traumatic Growth
Each of the post-traumatic growth dimensions; your pain It indicates the transformative power of n. While the person expresses growth in one of these
three areas, this growth may not occur in other areas.
Change in self-perception; It is a step towards the change in self-perception when the person exposed to violence defines himself/herself not as a victim and helpless
but as a person who can cope with difficult events, as a fighter, as a survivor despite everything. . Those who survive this struggle have the thought, "If I survived this situation, I can cope with all kinds of difficulties in life." He sees himself not as a victim and helpless
of the events he experienced, but as a strong person who can cope with the difficulties he encounters and stand on his feet
. In this axis, the increase in a person's self-confidence and the formation of a strong self-perception make it easier for him/her to take initiatives to obtain a source of social support (Calhoun and
Tedeschi, 1999).
Change in interpersonal relationships; Studies on post-traumatic growth
have shown that people who can cope with stressful situations develop more solid and meaningful relationships with others. People who have experienced similar difficult experiences coming together
to share their feelings; It strengthens the feelings of compassion and mercy and makes it easier to reveal an empathic
approach.
Change in the philosophy of life; Traumatic events can also deepen existential experience. People who face a major threat can determine their priorities in life by developing a realistic perspective; They can distinguish between achievable goals and unattainable goals and find meaning in life.
After the traumatic event, the person who tries to cope with the negative situation he is in
in order to turn this situation into a positive one, in his thoughts about himself, human beings. experiences a transformation in his relationships and
perspective on life. This transformation may occur in one of these areas, or it may create a
domino effect.
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