Abstract

Whether relatively minor or highly significant, traumatic events cause crisis and anxiety, more so if the individual is unaware of personal resources needed to cope with such events.3-6 Personal resources include family support, positive outlook, resiliency, and spirituality.6 When people can draw on these resources, life challenges provide opportunities for them to develop new thoughts, ideas, and behaviors that result in PTG. 6-8 When the focus is on PTG, recovery becomes less pessimistic and more about hope, meaning, and purpose in life.