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Cited by 978Optimism, Hope, and Well-beingPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchGrief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Optimism, social support, and coping strategies as factors contributing to posttraumatic growth: a meta-analysis

Open access
Prati, Gabriele, Pietrantoni, Luca·2009·Journal of Loss and Trauma
DOI 10.1080/15325020902724271
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Abstract

This meta-analytic review examines the role of optimism, social support, and coping strategies in contributing to posttraumatic growth. Results from 103 studies showed that all three systems of variables yielded significant effect sizes. Religious coping and positive reappraisal coping produced the largest effect sizes. Social support, seeking social support coping, spirituality, and optimism were moderately related to posttraumatic growth. Acceptance coping yielded the smallest effect sizes. Moderator analyses showed that effect sizes did not differ according to time elapsed since trauma, gender, and type of posttraumatic growth measure (posttraumatic growth vs. benefit finding). Age and gender were significant moderators of religious coping, whereas study design (longitudinal vs. cross-sectional) significantly moderated the effect of positive reappraisal coping. Implications for research and interventions on posttraumatic growth are also discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1080/15325020902724271

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136 of 136 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Other factors such as social support may also affect the development of PTG and PTSD.

    “The last, resilience and rumination were not the only two effect factors of traumatic outcomes, and other factors, such as social support may also affect the development of PTG and PTSD (Dirik and Karanci, 2008; Prati and Pietrantoni, 2009).”

    From Coexistence and different determinants of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic growth among Chinese survivors after earthquake: role of resilience and rumination (2015) · cites this paper as Prati and Pietrantoni, 2009

    The discussion section labeled “73 17” reports a medium effect size for social support in relation to posttraumatic growth (PTG). The cited paper does not establish that social support affects the development of PTSD; the passages retrieved for PTSD and posttraumatic-stress symptoms do not address that relationship. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • The effectiveness of positive reappraisal likely depends on contextual opportunities and resources, such as adequate social support and sufficient time for reflection.

    “The effectiveness of positive reappraisal likely depends on contextual opportunities and resources: survivors who received adequate social support and had sufficient time for reflection may have been better positioned to construct positive meaning, whereas those still facing acute stressors or lacking psychosocial resources may have struggled to reframe their experiences (63).”

    From Coping strategies and psychological outcomes following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a systematic review with meta-analytic synthesis (2026) · cites this paper as [63]

    The discussion (section labeled “73 17”) links positive reappraisal and social support separately to posttraumatic growth, and says social support can foster favorable appraisals and coping. It does not establish that reappraisal’s effectiveness depends on social support, time for reflection, or relief from acute stressors. The Results report that time since trauma was not a significant predictor of effect sizes. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • A meta-analysis study showed a moderate correlation between social support and PTG with a mean effect size of r = 0.26.

    “A meta-analysis study also showed a moderate correlation between social support and PTG with a mean effect size of r = 0.26 (Prati & Pietrantoni, 2009).”

    From Post-Traumatic Growth in University Students After Earthquakes: The Effect of Perceived Social Support and Psychological Resilience (2025) · cites this paper as Prati & Pietrantoni, 2009

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The experience of post-traumatic growth may be linked to individual coping strategies for stress, including religious or spiritual coping and positive reframing.

    “Again, the experience of posttraumatic growth may be linked to individual coping strategies for stress (Peters et al., 2021), including religious or spiritual coping and positive reframing (Prati & Pietrantoni, 2009; Schroevers & Teo, 2008).”

    From Traumatic Events, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Growth among University Students in Kabul City (2025) · cites this paper as Prati & Pietrantoni, 2009

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Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. [32]32. Ã Findler, L., & Taubman-Ben-Ari, O. (2004, July). A longitudinal examination of mothers' positive growth following the birth of twins. Paper presented at the European Conference of Positive Psychology, Verbania, Italy.
  2. [33]33. Ã Frazier, P., Conlon, A., Tashiro, T., & Sass, S. (2002). Post traumatic growth: Finding meaning through trauma. In P. Wong (Ed.), Selected proceedings on searching for meaning in the new millennium. Vancouver, BC: INPM Press.
  3. [37]37. Guastella, A. J. (2003). Trauma writing task: An examination of the process of change indicated by a cognitive-behavioral model of trauma. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
  4. [41]41. Ã Hettler, T. (1996). Stress-related growth among adult church members. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Delaware, Newark.
  5. [44]44. Ã Hoffman, L., & Whitmire, A. J. (2002, June). The relationship between approach to coping and stress-related growth in response to the events of September 11, 2001. Poster session presented at the annual conference of the American Psychological Society, New Orleans, LA.
  6. [59]59. Ã Lechner, S. C. (2000). Found meaning in individuals with cancer. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Finch University of Health Sciences=Chicago Medical School.
  7. [102]102. Proffitt, D. H. (2001). Clergy coping with difficult events: The relationship of spiritual experience, rumination, and social constraints to well-being and posttraumatic growth. Unpublished master's thesis, University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

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Authors
Prati, G., & Pietrantoni, L.
Affiliations
University of Bologna (IT)
Corresponding author
Prati, Gabriele
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Loss and Trauma
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2009-08-26
Volume
14
Issue
5
Pages
364-388
ISSN
  • 1532-5024 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-5032
DOI
10.1080/15325020902724271
OpenAlex
W1965613249
Cited by
978
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 68 · 2024: 75 · 2023: 69 · 2022: 107 · 2021: 93 · 2020: 69 · 2019: 61 · 2018: 69 · 2017: 63 · 2016: 59 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 26
FWCI
2.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Loss and Trauma (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
  • INFM-OAR (INFN Catania) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Keywords
posttraumatic growth, optimism, social support, coping strategies, religious coping, positive reappraisal, spirituality, social support seeking, acceptance coping, benefit finding, gender differences, age differences, time since trauma

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