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

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