Examining the Relationship between Resilience, Time, and Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in an Irish Sample

Background: The advent of positive psychology movement formed a pathway toward salutogenic approach in the treatment of common mental health disorders. Posttraumatic growth [PTG] refers to positive and transformative psychological changes that occurs as a result of deliberate effort of coping with adverse life experiences. Objective: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between resilience, time, and PTG in a non-clinical, Irish sample. Methods: This study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Applying a non-probability convenience sampling technique, participants (N=103) were recruited online, completing a shared Google questionnaire including demographic information, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis supported the notion that time since traumatic event and resilience predicted a significant amount of variance in posttraumatic growth in a non-clinical, Irish sample. Conclusion: Individuals exposed to traumatic experiences exhibit PTG over time, and resilience showed a stable trajectory in our sample. Promoting resilience contributes to a supporting framework, that optimizes public health and advance positive mental health to a greater societal level. More longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate and determine the direction between resilience and posttraumatic growth with a greater emphasis on the timing factor. Practical implications discussed