Summary of Lec 7 : Stress, Trauma and Posttraumatic growth 1

Summary of "Lec 7: Stress, Trauma and Posttraumatic Growth 1"

This lecture, part of an NPTEL course on Psychology of Stress, Health, and Well-being, focuses on the positive effects of stress and trauma, particularly the concept of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). It follows a recap of the previous lecture which covered the negative psychological effects of trauma, including Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Complex PTSD.

Main Ideas and Concepts

  1. Recap of Previous Lecture (Lecture 6):
    • Stress and trauma can lead to psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, ASD, and PTSD.
    • ASD is a short-term reaction to trauma (lasting 2 days to 4 weeks), whereas PTSD is a longer-term condition (symptoms lasting more than one month).
    • PTSD was first formally recognized in DSM-III (1980), largely due to advocacy by war veterans and other groups.
    • PTSD symptoms include:
      • Re-experiencing trauma
      • Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli
      • Negative thoughts and feelings
      • Hyperarousal
    • PTSD diagnosis in children is complex due to different symptom presentations.
    • Complex PTSD involves prolonged, repeated trauma (e.g., torture, sexual abuse) and includes disturbances in self-identity and emotional regulation.
  2. Positive Effects of Stress and Trauma:
    • Stress and trauma can also have positive effects, often overlooked due to the focus on negative outcomes.
    • Positive psychology research highlights the potential for growth and positive transformation following adversity.
  3. Three Broad Positive Functions of Stress:
    • Stimulation and Challenge: Stress provides motivation and energy, preventing boredom and promoting engagement.
    • Stress Inoculation: Experiencing stress can prepare individuals to better handle future stress, similar to how vaccines work.
    • Psychological Growth and Self-Improvement: Stressful experiences can stimulate personal growth and transformation.
  4. Posttraumatic Growth (PTG):
    • Defined as positive psychological changes resulting from struggling with highly challenging life circumstances.
    • Introduced by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1995).
    • PTG is not a direct result of trauma but arises from the individual’s struggle to adapt and find meaning after trauma.
    • PTG goes beyond mere recovery or coping; it involves positive transformation and improved functioning beyond pre-trauma levels.
    • PTG is common; research shows 30-90% of trauma survivors report some positive changes.
    • PTG typically follows major traumatic disruptions, is transformative, ongoing, and involves disruption of core beliefs leading to new perspectives.
  5. Philosophical and Cultural Roots of PTG:
    • The idea that suffering can lead to growth is ancient, reflected in philosophies (Nietzsche, Viktor Frankl), religions (Buddhism, Christianity), and folklore.
    • PTG does not imply absence of distress; growth and distress can coexist.
  6. Related but Distinct Concepts:
    • Thriving: Psychological vitality and learning in everyday life, not necessarily linked to trauma.
    • Flourishing: High-level emotional vitality and functioning, also not trauma-dependent.
    • Resilience: The ability to bounce back to baseline functioning after hardship; does not imply transformation.
    • Recovery: Process of returning to baseline functioning after adversity.
    • PTG vs. Others: PTG uniquely involves positive transformation beyond baseline functioning and is trauma-specific.
  7. Trajectories of Functioning After Trauma:
    • Immediate drop in functioning post-trauma.
    • Possible outcomes:
      • Succumbing to disorders (e.g., PTSD).
      • Surviving with impairment.
      • Resilience/recovery to baseline functioning.
      • Posttraumatic Growth: functioning above baseline.
  8. Five Dimensions of Posttraumatic Growth:
    • Increased Appreciation of Life: Greater valuing of life’s fragility and joy in small moments.
    • More Meaningful Relationships: Enhanced empathy, compassion, and recognition of true social support.
    • Personal Strength: Realization of inner strength and capabilities previously unrecognized.
    • New Possibilities: Pursuit of new life paths, careers, or missions inspired by trauma experience.
    • Spiritual/Existential Growth: Deeper engagement with existential questions and spiritual insights.
  9. Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress and Growth:
    • Complex and not simply opposites.
    • Some distress is necessary for PTG to occur.
    • Studies show positive or U-shaped relationships between stress and growth.
    • Initial higher PTSD symptoms can predict greater later PTG.
  10. PTG Across Different Traumatic Events:
    • Occurs after bereavement, medical illnesses (cancer, HIV), interpersonal trauma (sexual assault), community trauma (disasters, terrorism), and

Notable Quotes

— 26:13 — « Post-traumatic growth does not mean the absence of distress; one may still experience the pain and distress of the trauma, but growth may happen side by side. »
— 31:18 — « Resilience is the ability to bounce back and go on with life after hardship, returning to baseline functioning, whereas post-traumatic growth is about positive transformation beyond baseline. »
— 39:50 — « After traumatic events, people often report an increased appreciation for life, realizing how fragile life is and no longer taking it for granted. »
— 42:05 — « Traumatic events teach us the importance of meaningful relationships and social support, revealing who our real friends are during difficulties. »
— 47:23 — « Trauma often stimulates spiritual or existential growth, prompting deeper questions about the meaning of life and leading to new insights. »

Category

Educational

Summarize another video

Video