Citation

Berger R, Weiss T. Traumatology 2009; 15(1): 63-74.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1177/1534765608323499

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article focuses on expanding Calhoun and Tedeschi's 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.