Posttraumatic Growth in Trauma Recollections of 9/11 Survivors: A Narrative Approach

ABSTRACT

The relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and adaptation is unclear. This study is the first to examine PTG in trauma narratives of survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks. Participants recalled their experiences 7 and 18 months post 9/11, and content analysis was conducted to detect PTG. Posttraumatic stress was also measured. PTG was commonly reported. Relating to others and positivity were frequent in the PTSD and non-PTSD group, although less frequent over time in the PTSD. Greater appreciation for life was reported by the non-PTSD group but relatively absent in the PTSD group. Women but not men reported relating to others across time. It appears that there are distinct profiles of growth implicated in distress and adaptation.

KEYWORDS:

• Content analysis
• gender
• narrative
• posttraumatic growth
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• trauma memory

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sharon Dekel

Sharon Dekel, PhD, is a faculty member at the Department of Psychiatry of Harvard Medical School and an investigator at the PTSD Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). She has been studying the implications of psychological trauma using a multitime, multimethod approach targeted at neurohormonal factors and higher levels. Her work on PTSD, PTG, trauma memory, and other variables has resulted in papers published in leading scientific journals in the field. Dr. Dekel has received continued support for her research from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD). She is also a recipient of MGH’s Claflin Distinguished Scholar award.

Ian T. Hankin

Ian T. Hankin recently graduated from Oberlin College. He is interested in studying neuroscience, and has been assisting Dr. Dekel in research on trauma narrative in PTSD.

Jacob A. Pratt

Jacob A. Pratt recently graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s of science in psychology. He works as the lab manager at the Motor Development Lab at Boston University.

Dusty R. Hackler

Dusty R. Hackler, EdM, has conducted research in the areas of PTSD and HIV and mental health. She recently defended her dissertation on the relationship between PTSD and personality traits in youth at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Olivia N. Lanman

Olivia N. Lanman is a premed student at Boston University. She currently is a research assistant at the PTSD Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.