ABSTRACT
Chapter 6 introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth. Research shows that many people experience personal growth in the aftermath of difficult or traumatic events. Humans have an incredible flexibility and capacity for survival. We are able to take the pain and the sadness that inevitably comes with any profound or overwhelming event, and turn them into something else, to flip them, to transform them. This makes us experience greater strength or ‘improvement’ as a result of the confrontation. This transformation process, however, is not easy. It is the outcome of a process in which we may first experience a loss of meaning and strong negative emotions. When are able to apply various adaptive coping styles in a flexible way, something good may come out of it, such as a greater appreciation for life, a deeper sense of connectedness to important others, clearer understanding of life goals, beginning new education, powerfully inspired or a greater religious conviction.
