Exploring Resilience and Coping Strategies as Predictors of Post-Traumatic Growth and Post-Traumatic Stress among Trauma Survivors

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the predictive role of resilience and coping strategies in post-traumatic growth (PTG) and post-traumatic stress (PTS). Grounded in positive psychology and trauma literature, the research focused on exploring how individual differences in psychological resilience and preferred coping mechanisms contribute to outcomes of traumatic experiences. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing standardized instruments including the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF), PTSD-8 scale, Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form (CSI-SF). Data were collected from a sample (N=100) of individuals who had experienced trauma, with statistical analyses conducted to examine correlations and predictive relationships. Results revealed that resilience was significantly and negatively correlated with PTS (r = -0.439, p< .01), and maladaptive coping was significantly and positively correlated with PTS (r= .238, p< .05). However, neither resilience nor adaptive coping showed significant associations with PTG. Multiple regression analysis indicated that resilience and maladaptive coping significantly predicted PTS, accounting for 25.6% of the variance. These findings underscore the protective role of resilience and the risk associated with maladaptive coping in relation to post-traumatic stress. However, the absence of significant predictors for PTG highlights the complexity of factors that contribute to post-traumatic growth and the need for further investigation in this area.