Post-Traumatic Growth in Adult Sexual Assault Survivors: Inter and Intrapersonal Factors that Lead to Growth
Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Laura Meyer
Second Advisor
Peter Buirski
Third Advisor
Vanessa Zimmerman
Keywords
Post-traumatic growth (PTG), Sexual assault, Clinical recommendations
Abstract
Adult sexual violence is ubiquitous in the United States and can lead to deleterious outcomes such as PTSD and long-term psychological damage. Psychotherapy emphasizes treatment of pathology; however, more emphasis in psychotherapy is needed on positive outcomes such as posttraumatic growth (PTG) following sexual violence in order for survivors of sexual violence to move towards healthy adaptations. As PTG is a relatively new concept, more research is needed to continue learning about intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that lead to PTG. This paper reviews existing literature to answer two main questions for adult survivors of sexual violence: a) what intrapersonal characteristics are more likely to lead to PTG in adult survivors of sexual violence? b) what interpersonal characteristics are more likely to lead to PTG in adult survivors of sexual violence? From there, recommendations for clinical practice are compiled to help facilitate PTG for survivors who may not experience PTG on their own following sexual violence.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Extent
33 pgs
Recommended Citation
Dawson, Soo-Yeon, "Post-Traumatic Growth in Adult Sexual Assault Survivors: Inter and Intrapersonal Factors that Lead to Growth" (2023). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 484.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/484