The role of social support and disclosure on posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult survivors of adverse childhood experiences
APA Citation:
Schaer, D. (2021). The role of social support and disclosure on posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult survivors of adverse childhood experiences. [Psy.D., Alliant International University]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2572568976/abstract/7488E0684C4419DPQ/1
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Subject Affiliation:
Civilian
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Authors:
Schaer, Danielle
Abstract:
Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological experience or change in person’s life in response to traumatic life events (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). It has become known and accepted that social support and disclosure have been related to developing PTG in male combat veterans (Danoff-Burg & Revenson, 2005; Gottlieb & Bergen, 2010; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004; Taku et al., 2009). There is lack of empirical research regarding predictors of females and their ability to develop PTG. The current study looked at social support and disclosure to better understand if they are predictors for developing PTG in females who experienced an adverse childhood experience (ACE). A total of 141 females above the age of 18 fully completed an online survey. An independent t-test and several Pearson’s correlations were used to assess the relationship between disclosure, social support, and developing PTG. Results from this study found a positive relationship between current perceived social support and disclosure, a positive relationship of developing PTG when the individual felt supported after disclosing their traumatic event, and a positive relationship between current perceived social support and PTG. Results also revealed that of the ACEs, those who disclosed that they were emotionally neglected as a child, were the least supported compared to the other five categories (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and household dysfunction). The implications of these findings, including clinical implications and future research are discussed.Keywords: posttraumatic growth, social support, disclosure, adverse childhood experience
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Alliant International University
Publication Type:
Dissertations & Theses
Keywords:
adverse childhood experiences, disclosure, posttraumatic growth, social support
Location:
United States -- California