Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG): A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Psychological and Physiological Processes in Finding Meaning and Strength after Trauma

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore the psychological and physiological processes involved in PTG, examining the role of meaning-making, social support, psychological well-being, perceived stress, cortisol levels, and heart rate variability (HRV). The study involved 60 trauma survivors, with 30 participants from a qualitative phase and 30 additional participants in the quantitative phase. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. Quantitative data included the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, cortisol levels, and HRV. Results showed that social support, psychological well-being, and HRV were significant predictors of PTG, with social support emerging as the strongest predictor. Perceived stress and cortisol levels did not significantly predict PTG. The findings highlight the importance of psychological and social factors, particularly social support and well-being, in facilitating PTG, while also suggesting that physiological resilience, as reflected by HRV, plays a key role. These results have implications for interventions designed to support trauma survivors and promote post-traumatic growth. Future research should further explore the interaction between psychological and physiological factors in PTG and examine these processes across diverse populations.