A Grounded Theory Approach to Understanding Cultural Differences in Posttraumatic Growth

Abstract

The last decade has seen a surge of research move away from a pathogenic paradigm of trauma to embrace a positive psychological approach. Research has predominantly used instruments such as the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory to ascertain levels of positive posttrauma change, yielding mixed results across cultures. Addressing a gap in current knowledge, this article uses a grounded theory approach to discover dimensions of posttraumatic growth in an Australian population. Results indicate that there are commonalities between Australian and U.S. populations in the experience of posttraumatic growth and also some differences, specifically in the areas of spirituality, religiosity, and compassion.

We wish to thank Professor Lawrence Calhoun for reading and commenting on a draft of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Shakespeare-Finch

Jane Shakespeare-Finch is an academic in the School of Psychology at the University of Tasmania in Australia, where she teaches psychological research methods, clinical and counseling psychology, and health psychology. Her research is primarily concerned with psychological resilience, positive posttrauma changes, and the development of models that serve to explain differential posttrauma processes and outcomes. Her work has been published in book chapters and journal articles and presented at conferences.

Alicia Copping

Alicia Copping is a graduate student in the School of Psychology at the University of Tasmania. Building on previous posttraumatic growth research she has conducted, her PhD dissertation comprises a detailed examination of the construction of life crisis with respect to distal and proximate culture. Of particular interest is how perceptions of life crisis differ between an individualistic society and a collectivistic society and the development of compassion as a posttrauma outcome within these contexts.