Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive psychological change that some people report following a profoundly difficult or life-threatening event. It does not mean the trauma was a good thing, or that there is no ongoing distress: rather, it describes how struggling with a major challenge can, for some, lead to meaningful changes in perspective, relationships, and sense of purpose.
Common areas of growth
Research by psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, who developed the concept, identifies five main domains in which post-traumatic growth is typically reported:
- Personal strength: a sense of having discovered unexpected inner resilience ("I am stronger than I thought")
- New possibilities: openness to new directions, activities, or life goals
- Relating to others: deeper connections with family and friends, greater empathy, and appreciation of support
- Appreciation of life: heightened awareness of what matters, valuing time and relationships more
- Spiritual or existential change: a shift in beliefs, values, or sense of meaning and purpose
PTG in cardiac arrest survivors
Many cardiac arrest survivors describe elements of post-traumatic growth alongside ongoing difficulties. A brush with death often prompts reflection on what truly matters. Survivors may change careers, re-prioritise relationships, become advocates for CPR training, or find a new sense of purpose in connecting with others who have had similar experiences.
Important caveats
PTG is not universal, and the absence of growth does not reflect weakness or a failure to recover. PTSD and PTG can coexist: a person can experience genuine growth and still struggle significantly with trauma symptoms. PTG should not be used to minimise the very real difficulties survivors face, nor should survivors feel pressure to find a silver lining.
Fostering growth
Psychological support, peer connection, narrative therapy, and time can all support the emergence of PTG, though it cannot and should not be forced.
« Back to Glossary Index