Tzipi Weiss

Reliability and Validity of a Spanish Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory.

Objectives. This study was designed to adapt and validate a Spanish translation of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) for the assessment of positive life changes following the stressful experiences of immigration. Method. A cross-cultural equivalence model was used to pursue semantic, content, conceptual, and technical equivalence. Translation teams and back translations were employed for semantic and content equivalence. Conceptual and technical equivalence were assessed through field-testing the reliability and factor structure of the translated PTGI in a sample of 100 Latina immigrants. Results. The translated version was highly reliable. Factor analysis failed to replicate the original five factors but the three factors identified were consistent with the conceptual underpinnings of the PTGI and another translated version. Conclusions. Semantic, content, conceptual, and technical equivalence of the Spanish version of the PTGI were supported and thus its valid use for research and practice with the study population.

Posttraumatic growth and culturally competent practice: Lessons learned from around the globe.

Foreword, ix About the Editors, xi About the Contributors, xiii Acknowledgements, xix Introduction, xxi Chapter 1 The Posttraumatic Growth Model: Sociocultural Considerations, 1 Lawrence G. Calhoun, Arnie Cann, and Richard G. Tedeschi Chapter 2 Posttraumatic Growth in Israeli Jews, 15 Avital Laufer and Zahava Solomon Chapter 3 Posttraumatic Growth in Middle Eastern Context: Expression and determinants among Palestinians, 31 Raija-Leena Punamaki Chapter 4 Posttraumatic Growth in the Turkish Population, 49 Cengiz Kilic Chapter 5 Thriving in Postwar Kosova, 65 Aliriza Arenliu and Moshe S. Landsman Chapter 6 Trauma and Posttraumatic Growth in Germany, 73 BirgitWagner and Andreas Maercker Chapter 7 Posttraumatic Growth in the Netherlands, 85 Grieteke Pool, Mirjam J. Nijdam, & Marijke E. Oostingh Chapter 8 Posttraumatic Growth in Spain, 97 Carmelo Vazquez and Dar o Paez Chapter 9 Posttraumatic Growth in U.S. Latinos, 113 Roni Berger and Tzipi Weiss Chapter 10 Posttraumatic Growth in Japan: A Path toward Better Understanding of Culture-Constant and Culture-Specific Aspects, 129 Kanako Taku Chapter 11 Posttraumatic Growth in Chinese Culture, 147 Samuel M. Y. Ho and Yu Bai Chapter 12 Posttraumatic Growth in Australian Populations, 157 Jane Shakespeare-Finch and Bronwyn Morris Chapter 13 Posttraumatic Growth in International Study: The Case of Chinese in Australia, 173 Thomas A. Whelan and Winifred A. Cunningham Chapter 14 Posttraumatic Growth Around the Globe: Research Findings and Practice Implications, 189 Tzipi Weiss and Roni Berger Author Index, 197 Subject Index, 207

The Posttraumatic Growth Model: An Expansion to the Family System

This article focuses on expanding Calhoun and Tedeschis model of posttraumatic growth (PTG) to the family system level. PTG has been conceptualized as an outcome on multiple levels, including individuals, families, and communities. However, in the original model the family is mostly viewed as the context for individual growth, whereas in this article the family is the unit that grows. The proposed conceptualization is consistent with the paradigmatic shift from a deficit-based perspective to a strength-based perspective of family functioning in general and in the aftermath of trauma in particular. The first part of the article briefly introduces the PTG model. The second part identifies and illustrates the family system parallels of the six components of the model: pretrauma characteristics, a traumatic/ highly stressful event, challenges, rumination, social context, and posttraumatic growth. The third part addresses future directions.

Personal Transformation Posttraumatic Growth and Gerotranscendence

This article connects two rich but distinct literatures on personal transformation and well-being that can benefit from cross-fertilization. It explores the intersection of posttraumatic growth (PTG), a model of positive changes following traumatic events, and gerotranscendence, a theory of positive changes related to aging. The two conceptualizations of positive change are compared on multiple dimensions. These include the philosophical base, domains, trigger, mechanism, and correlates of change, as well as the connection of change with wisdom and life satisfaction. The analysis reveals many similarities between the two paths to personal transformation with the key difference being the trigger for growth. Whereas PTG connects growth to traumatic events, gerotranscendence connects the growth to normative later life experiences. The similarities identified imply that PTG could be viewed as part of normative adult development and as an accelerator of gerotranscendence. The analysis also indicates that transformation in normative development is likely fueled in part by stressful losses and existential suffering. The article suggests that PTG and gerotranscendence may be viewed as two facets of the universal human striving toward self-transcendence or emancipatory knowledge. The critical role of the sociocultural context in personal transformation is also highlighted. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

A Researcher's Personal Narrative: Positive Emotions, Mythical Thinking and Posttraumatic Growth

Despite much empirical effort, and the development of the posttraumatic growth model, we still know little about the processes of growth from trauma and the conditions that enhance or inhibit the transformation. To further explore these topics I used a journal in which, for a period of about 18 months, I recorded my struggle with a highly traumatic event. I offer a personal narrative that depicts my predicament, my efforts to recover, the thoughts and feelings I experienced and the social context in which I developed posttraumatic growth. I discuss the shifts in my grief-saturated thinking as I responded with positive emotions to my surroundings and encountered model stories of growth. I illustrate the role of mythical thinking in the cognitive processing of trauma toward growth and conclude with clinical implications.