Theories of Posttraumatic Growth: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Abstract
Posttraumatic growth is a concept that has been established within a Western cultural framework. This review examines whether there is a Western cultural bias in this concept, and related processes and outcomes, and whether any cultural bias has been incorporated into associated psychometric tools. It is concluded that, although at an abstract level the concept of posttraumatic growth appears cross-culturally valid, the operationalization of the concept may serve to impose assumptions of a Western individualistic society. The impact of this for the emerging cross-cultural literature on posttraumatic growth is discussed, alongside recommendations for future research.
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None of the included studies appear to have taken culture into account through re-assessing psychometric properties via factor analysis or measuring additional/diverse concepts of growth outside the Western perception of PTG.
“Whilst some studies included in this review provided translated versions of the PTGI to refugees/IDPs, none of them appear to have taken into account culture either through re-assessing psychometric properties through factor analysis or measuring/identifying additional/diverse concepts of growth outside of the Western perception of PTG (Splevins et al., 2010).”
From Post-traumatic growth in refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide: systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as Splevins et al., 2010
Cites
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“These domains have been claimed to encapsulate all possible growth outcomes (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialPositive change following trauma and adversity: A review
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Self-citationVariables related to posttraumatic growth in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Dirik, G., & Karanci, A. N. (2008) · Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings · doi:10.1007/s10880-008-9115-x · Cited by 114 · see citing works
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Jayawickreme, E., & Blackie, L. E. R. (2014) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1002/per.1963 · Cited by 555 · see citing works
Post‐traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations
Jayawickreme, E., Infurna, F. J., Alajak, K., Blackie, L. E. R., Chopik, W. J., Chung, J. M., Dorfman, A., Fleeson, W., Forgeard, M. J. C., Frazier, P., et al. (2021) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/jopy.12591 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
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Posttraumatic growth after earthquake: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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Exploring Posttraumatic Growth in Sierra Leone Using Mixed Methods
Exenberger, S., Steidl, A., Kamara, A., & Huber, A. (2022) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-021-00419-9 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
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“…versions of the PTGI to refugees/IDPs, none of them appear to have taken into account culture either through re-assessing psychometric properties through factor analysis or measuring/identifying additional/diverse concepts of growth outside of the Western perception of PTG (Splevins et al., 2010).”
Steidl, A., Kamara, A., Aziz, A., & Exenberger, S. (2024) · European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2024.100401 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
- Authors
- Splevins, K., Cohen, K., Bowley, J., & Joseph, S.
- Affiliations
- Lancaster University (GB)
- London Metropolitan University (GB)
- Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust (GB)
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Splevins, Katie
- Venue
- Journal of Loss and Trauma
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-04-30
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 259-277
- ISSN
- 1532-5024 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-5032
- OpenAlex
- W1970473890
- Cited by
- 154
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 7.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Loss and Trauma (publishedVersion)
- Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
- Keywords
- posttraumatic growth, cross-cultural validity, Western cultural bias, individualism, psychometric scale, measurement bias
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