| A growing body of research indicates that some individuals may experience positive changes after a traumatic life event. This process, posttraumatic growth, has been evidenced following a wide range of traumatic experiences, including bereavement. With unprecedented numbers of people worldwide reaching an age where loss of a spouse becomes more likely, posttraumatic growth after loss is still little understood. For example, many and conflicting variables are thought to correlate with growth. An ethnographic, qualitative study was begun, with the guidance of faculty advisors Professors Dennis T. Olson and Darrell L. Guder, to gather data about the experiences of bereaved spouses with a goal to describe what, if any, posttraumatic growth grieving spouses in the greater Danbury, CT area express at 2-3 years after loss and how the nature and possible themes of their experiences might be described. From a list of 132 people eligible for the study, 80 people were randomly contacted, yielding twelve active contributors to surveys, focus groups, and interviews. The data in this study uncovered evidence of posttraumatic growth in some but not all participants which was consistent with the majority scholarship. Whereas transactional models of posttraumatic growth focus on variables of strength such as optimism, extroversion, one's spiritual or social resources, control, sense of mastery, resilience and other such characteristics, these qualities did not seem to describe those with posttraumatic growth in our population. Similarly, our study sample did not appear to describe an association between toughness and growth. Variables which did appear more relevant were avoidance/escapism, surrender of self-will, persistence and cognitive dissonance. These variables may be largely consistent with a growing scholarly awareness of the importance of vulnerability to human flourishing versus a strong sense of control. The transformational model offered by Calhoun and Tedeschi on bereavement and posttraumatic growth may be the most consistent with our sample findings. This study, however, suggests a fresh perspective from which to view the Calhoun-Tedeschi model, the possible variables in posttraumatic growth, and meaning-making approaches. The study raises possible avenues for study in the areas of theology, psychology, counseling, pastoral care, bereavement, posttraumatic growth, and education. |
