Posttraumatic Growth in Youth Following Disasters

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with major loss or trauma. It is a topic that has garnered increasing interest in the adult clinical and research literatures, however relatively few studies have examined the process among youth. Existing evidence suggests the growth process is possible in youth, laying groundwork for ongoing empirical examination of the construct, as well as the development of its clinical and practical applications in work with youth who have experienced trauma, such as exposure to disaster. This article seeks to provide relevant background regarding posttraumatic growth, distinguish it from resilience, and consider ways in which those who work with youth can take steps to facilitate growth in youth following disaster.