The DOI matches its Crossref record; 29 of the 29 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Illusory Reports of Posttraumatic Growth in Response to a Nontraumatic Event
Abstract
The current study examined individuals’ (N = 255) self-reports of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in response to a clearly nontraumatic event such as the worst movie or television show, using a series of online questionnaires. Seven percent of participants reported elevated levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, 23% of participants reported moderate levels of PTG, and 12% reported great levels of PTG in response to the nontraumatic event. The reports of PTG were positively associated with distress levels, PTSD symptoms, avoidance coping strategies, and functioning impairments. Our findings support the Janus-Face model of PTG and suggest the importance of refining current measures of PTG.
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People who use avoidance as a coping strategy are more likely to report illusory PTG, while those who cope through reinterpretation more often experience real PTG.
“Okazało się, że osoby, które stosują unikanie jako strategię radzenia sobie, są bardziej skłonne do zgłaszania iluzorycznego PTG, ate, które radzą sobie poprzez reinterpretację, częściej doświadczają rzeczywistego PTG.”
From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [34]
In a 2019 study, 7% of subjects reported elevated PTSD, 23% reported moderate PTG, and 12% reported high PTG in response to a nontraumatic event.
“Okazało się, że 7% badanych zgłosiło podwyższony poziom PTSD, 23% zgłosiło umiarkowany wzrost potraumatyczny (PTG), aw 12% zgłaszano wysoki poziom PTG wodpowiedzi na wydarzenie nietraumatyczne.”
From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [34]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Boals, A., & Liu, K.
- Affiliations
- University of North Texas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Boals, Adriel
- ORCID
- Boals, Adriel
- Venue
- Journal of Loss and Trauma
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-09-02
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 74-85
- ISSN
- 1532-5024 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-5032
- OpenAlex
- W2970173246
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 3
- FWCI
- 0.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Loss and Trauma (publishedVersion)
- 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, posttraumatic stress symptoms, avoidance coping, psychological distress, functioning impairment, self-report validity
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