The Experience of Adolescents’ Post-Traumatic Growth after Sudden Loss of Father

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of post-traumatic growth among 14 Iranian adolescents who have experienced a sudden loss of their fathers. A phenomenological approach has been employed to collect and analyze the data. Two main themes and seven categories were extracted from the data. The first theme, The Initial Phase, deals with two categories: initial confusion, and reaction to grief. The second theme, Growth Over Time, deals with five categories: Taking time with a positive outlook, strengthening the bonds, academic competency, psychological well-being, and existential improvement. The consequences of a traumatic sudden loss among adolescents are not limited to negative results; they would feel sad and shocked, but they may also experience post-traumatic growth after a while. These findings contribute to the field by comprehensibly describing the phenomenon of post-traumatic growth among adolescents. Findings can provide new perspective for psychologists and Counselors especially school Counselors to facilitate post-traumatic growth among adolescent.

Keywords:

• Sudden loss
• post-traumatic growth
• adolescents
• trauma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zahra Asgari

Zahra Asgari is a PhD candidate in Counseling, University of Isfahan. She is interested in working with traumatized adolescents and children, and she has done extensive hours of working with adolescents who had lost a loved one. Her main interests are empowerment after traumatic events and post-traumatic Growth.

Azam Naghavi

Azam Naghavi is Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan. She has completed her PhD in Psychology at Monash University, Australia. Her main research interests are disability studies and empowerment, post-traumatic growth, and immigrant and refugee mental health.