Perceptions of Corrective Interpersonal Experiences in Promoting Post-traumatic Growth in a Sample of College Students
Open Access
- Author:
- Copley, Laura Anne
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 22, 2015
- Committee Members:
- Jolynn Carney, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jerry G Trusty, Committee Member
Margaret Ann Lorah, Committee Member
Catherine Augustine, Committee Member
Richard Hazler, Special Member - Keywords:
- trauma
resiliency
post-traumatic growth
college students
relationships - Abstract:
- The mental health profession has traditionally focused research and clinical practice on the deleterious effects of adversity to the exclusion of positive effects. An essential shift in trauma literature has recently occurred, however, as researchers have begun exploring the phenomenon of transformative growth as a post-trauma outcome. Despite this movement, minimal research exists on this positive change, and studies have yet to adequately establish the factors that contribute most to the development of post-traumatic growth. This quantitative dissertation begins with a broad overview of the extant research on post-trauma outcomes, drawing upon direction from current empirical literature on traumatic stress, interpersonal bonding, and resilience in order to isolate and address the gaps in the research. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to examine the relation between trauma exposure and various interpersonal bonding experiences within the context parental, romantic, and platonic relationships on the development of post-traumatic growth qualities in a sample of undergraduate college students. These qualities included Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Personal Strengths, Spiritual Change, and Appreciation for Life. The final sample included in the study consisted of 202 undergraduate students enrolled at a Mid-Atlantic institution of higher education. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed in order to explore each research question. Major findings indicated that close platonic relationships had moderate, negative effects on the development of each outcome variable (Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Personal Strengths, Spiritual Change, and Appreciation for Life), indicating that close and dependable friendships served as the most significant attachment-oriented predictor of positive change in students with trauma history. Additionally, repeated traumatic experiences demonstrated a significant positive relation to the development of several post-traumatic growth domains, including Relating to Others, Personal Strengths, and Spiritual Change. A discussion and implications of these and other findings are presented at the close of this dissertation. Finally, recommendations for future research are offered to encourage the continued trajectory toward a greater understanding of strength-based considerations for post-trauma outcomes.