ABSTRACT
There is an emerging body of literature that is combining self-report approaches with methodologies assessing neural mechanisms associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG). This chapter reviews recent research using EEG (electroencephalography), MEG (magnetoencephalography), and/or fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) on the relationships between brain function and PTG. Research on PTG in people with brain injuries and its predictors, such as the subjective impact of the trauma and beliefs about post-injury changes, is also considered. This chapter introduces some evidence that PTG is associated with biologically related measurements, such as physical health or cognitive functioning. We explore the possibility that PTG might serve as a protective factor for a decline in reasoning or memory.
