Volume 14, Issue 2 p. 343-378

Post-traumatic growth and life threatening physical illness: A systematic review of the qualitative literature

Kate Hefferon

Corresponding Author

Kate Hefferon

Department of Psychology, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Correspondence should be addressed to Kate Hefferon, Department of Psychology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G11QE, Scotland, UK (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author
Madeleine Grealy

Madeleine Grealy

Department of Psychology, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

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Nanette Mutrie

Nanette Mutrie

Department of Sport, Culture and Arts, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

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First published: 24 December 2010
Citations: 231

Abstract

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the phenomenon of positive change through the experience of trauma and adversity (O'Leary & Ickovics, 1995). Research suggests that the type of trauma sustained could have differing processes and outcomes from each other (Demark-wahnefried et al., 2000; Sabiston, McDonough, and Crocker, 2007). The aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative data on PTG and illness related trauma. Fifty-seven published journal articles dating from before November 1st, 2007 in PsychINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and from the authors own knowledge of the area were reviewed. Key words included PTG; benefit finding; thriving and positive changes. Key themes included: ‘reappraisal of life and priorities’; ‘trauma equals development of self’; ‘existential re-evaluation’; and ‘a new awareness of the body’. Findings suggest that there are unique elements to illness related PTG and a need for additional research into the processes and outcomes of physical illness related trauma.