Trauma Recovery from a Positive Psychology and Post-Traumatic Growth Perspective

The aim of Chapter Four is to demonstrate that living a better life after adversity is possible when adequate support is offered. Therefore, positive psychology and post-traumatic growth are two recovery-focused trauma-informed approaches that are highly recommended to help people who have experienced adversity. Positive psychology studies human well-being and optimal functioning. Post-traumatic growth refers to positive changes in someone’s coping that occur from sorting through their experience of trauma. Three different responses to traumatic stress are explained. For instance, certain people bounce right back after an adverse event, others develop maladaptive functioning, and a third reaction results in post-traumatic growth. The particular response that a person experiences is somewhat context-dependent. After trauma occurs, positive changes in brain function are made possible through neuroplasticity. Positive Psychology and trauma-informed care share the common goal of helping people to live better lives, but they also differ. For instance, positive psychology strategies are designed to be used by everyone and are therefore not limited to those who have experienced trauma. The five key elements of well-being theory called PERMA are presented, such as positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Positive emotions are deemed essential for life satisfaction. Work-related well-being was later developed and called PERMA+4 and is associated with physical health, mindset, work environment, and economic security. Flourishing is a central component of well-being theory and consists of the capacity to be satisfied with one’s life achievements and being involved in something that is meaningful. The following strategies are known to facilitate well-being, being grateful, a positive attitude, random acts of kindness, and positive psychotherapy. Positive psychotherapy is an effective method to treat trauma because it focuses on a person’s strengths and weaknesses but also uses a person’s character signature strengths to help them move forward. Appreciation for life, new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, and spiritual change are the five domains of post-traumatic growth. Meaningmaking, instillation of hope, and self-compassion are identified as additional lifeenhancing responses to adversity. Two Narrative Case Studies are presented. The first one identifies how a student nurse felt unprepared to discuss spiritual issues with her patient. The second case study demonstrates how nurturing mindful self-compassion helps a teen to heal from childhood trauma. The following three learning activities are suggested, debating the value of positive emotions, understanding the 24 signature strengths of positive psychotherapy, and lessons learned from those who have experienced post-traumatic growth. The chapter ends by recommending specific gratitude-enhancing self-care strategies.