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Understanding the Mechanisms that Promote Posttraumatic Growth Through Expressive Writing

Radice-Vella, Gina M.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9267-1762
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1462821569

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, Psychology.
Traumatic events are prevalent in the general population. The possible psychological consequences of trauma are complex as they include both negative, even pathological, outcomes and positive outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Past research has established a link between expressive writing (EW) and PTG. The current study explored two possible mediational models to explain the relation between EW and PTG. Both assessed the role of event centrality (EC) and core belief disruption (CBD) and the link between EW and PTG in a sample of 133 college students. Model 1 hypothesized that EW would lead to increased PTG and that this relation would be mediated by absolute levels of EC and CBD post-intervention; Model 2 hypothesized that EW would lead to increased PTG and this relation would mediated by the degree of increase in EC and CBD over the course of the intervention. Contrary to expectations, results indicated that EW was not related to PTG; however, Model 2 was partially supported, as tests of indirect effects revealed increased EC mediated the relation between EW and PTG. Analyses of the model paths revealed both absolute CBD and changes in CBD were related to PTG. Results confirm the importance of EC and CBD when attempting to facilitate PTG.
Susan Kenford, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Christine Dacey, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Cindy Dulaney, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
63 p.
Psychology
Posttraumatic Growth; expressive writing; event centrality; core belief disruption; meaning-making

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Radice-Vella, G. M. (2016). Understanding the Mechanisms that Promote Posttraumatic Growth Through Expressive Writing [Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1462821569

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Radice-Vella, Gina. Understanding the Mechanisms that Promote Posttraumatic Growth Through Expressive Writing. 2016. Xavier University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1462821569.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Radice-Vella, Gina. "Understanding the Mechanisms that Promote Posttraumatic Growth Through Expressive Writing." Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xavier1462821569

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

xavier1462821569
307
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Xavier University Psychology and OhioLINK.