The impact of conflict exposure and social support on posttraumatic growth among the young adults in Kashmir

Abstract

This study examined the effect of social support and conflict exposure on posttraumatic growth (PTG) among the young adults who have been exposed to stressful experiences regarding the armed conflict in Kashmir. The aim of the study is to explore PTG in this population and its association with conflict exposure and perceived social support. This is a cross-sectional study involving 803 college students. The data were collected by four self-report instruments comprising of demographic data schedule, the exposure to Kashmir conflict checklist, the posttraumatic growth inventory and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support. The respondents reported relatively high levels of PTG and social support. Conflict exposure and total perceived social support were significantly associated with an increase in PTG. Formulation of programmes to sensitize people living in conflict zones about the importance of PTG and social support in buffering negative outcomes can help lessen their stress, increase their ability to withstand adversities and help them move towards personal growth.

Keywords:

• conflict exposure
• Kashmir
• posttraumatic growth
• social support
• young adults

Public Interest Statement

The current study highlights a fact that traumatic experiences can have an adaptive value. There is overwhelming evidence that traumatic events have the potential to trigger positive psychological changes (i.e. PTG) among the individuals exposed to trauma. A wide range of research has suggested that there may be a number of factors that influence posttraumatic growth (PTG), including trauma exposure and social support. Given that trauma exposure and social support is linked to PTG, we explore PTG in this study and its association with conflict exposure and perceived social support. We found that the respondents reported relatively high levels of PTG and social support. Conflict exposure and total perceived social support were significantly associated with an increase in PTG. The current study enables each reader to perceive the value of social support in fostering positive psychological growth (i.e. PTG) when encountered by traumatic life experiences.

Competing Interests

We the authors hereby declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to this research, authorship and publication of this article.

Author contributions

Rayees Mohammad Bhat performed the literature review, drafted the design and manuscript, carried out data collection and statistical analysis. B. Rangaiah participated in the design of the study, statistical analysis and helped to draft the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Rayees Mohammad Bhat

Rayees Mohammad Bhat holds MSc and MPhil degrees in Psychology. Currently, he is a PhD research scholar under the supervision of B. Rangaiah at the Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, India. His area of research includes both pathogenic and salutogenic effects of trauma exposure. But his primary focus of research includes the positive aspects of negative life events among the people exposed to highly traumatic events related to armed conflict and war like situations.

B. Rangaiah

B. Rangaiah is an associate professor in Psychology and Head of Department of Applied Psychology at Pondicherry University, India. For more information visit: http://www.pondiuni.edu.in/profile/dr-b-rangaiah