Facilitating post traumatic growth.
BACKGROUND
Whilst negative responses to traumatic injury have been well documented in the literature, there is a small but growing body of work that identifies posttraumatic growth as a salient feature of this experience. We contribute to this discourse by reporting on the experiences of 13 individuals who were traumatically injured, had undergone extensive rehabilitation and were discharged from formal care. All participants were injured through involvement in a motor vehicle accident, with the exception of one, who was injured through falling off the roof of a house.


METHODS
In this qualitative study, we used an audio-taped in-depth interview with each participant as the means of data collection. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically to determine the participants' unique perspectives on the experience of recovery from traumatic injury. In reporting the findings, all participants' were given a pseudonym to assure their anonymity.


RESULTS
Most participants indicated that their involvement in a traumatic occurrence was a springboard for growth that enabled them to develop new perspectives on life and living.


CONCLUSIONS
There are a number of contributions that health providers may make to the recovery of individuals who have been traumatically injured to assist them to develop new views of vulnerability and strength, make changes in relationships, and facilitate philosophical, physical and spiritual growth.
Turner
de Sales
de S
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125, Victoria, Australia. sales@deakin.edu.au
Cox
Helen
H
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014739:Victoria; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*