Post-traumatic growth
Is the positive psychological change that some individuals experience after a life crisis or traumatic event. Post-traumatic growth doesn’t deny deep distress, but rather posits that adversity can unintentionally yield changes in understanding oneself, others, and the world. Post-traumatic growth can, in fact, co-exist with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The phenomenon was identified by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in the 1990s. Based on their research, the pair described five categories of growth that occur over time: Survivors of trauma recognize and embrace new opportunities. They forge stronger relationships with loved ones as well as with victims who suffered in the same way. They cultivate inner strength through the knowledge that they have overcome tremendous hardship. They gain a deeper appreciation for life. And their relationship to religion and spirituality changes and evolves.
Boulder Crest Foundation. (2026). What is posttraumatic growth (PTG)? Retrieved from: https://bouldercrest.org/research-resources/what-is-posttraumatic-growth-ptg/.
Zhang, Y., Zhang, H., & Ma, X. (2022). Post-traumatic growth and related factors among people exposed to trauma: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 9807114. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9807114/.
Ma, L. (May 29, 2026). Post-traumatic growth. Psychology Today. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/post-traumatic-growth.