Can adversity lead to enduring positive change across the lifespan? Providing a thoughtful and
considered exploration of this question this book presents a critical reassessment of
posttraumatic growth based on correcting prior theoretical and methodological limitations in
the current research. Its core argument is that posttraumatic growth should be reconceptualized
as positive personality change and thus should be studied using novel methodological
approaches from the field of personality psychology. Broadly this argument is put forward in
five progressive sections. Beginning by giving a conceptual and interdisciplinary overview of
posttraumatic growth as a phenomenon the volume then reviews the current academic
conceptualization of posttraumatic growth and makes a case for a 'reset' in the research. The
next section maintains that posttraumatic growth is in fact a form of positive personality
change and should be analyzed using personality science methodology. Using positive personality
change as a theoretical foundation for posttraumatic growth the following two sections look at
posttraumatic growth in context. It is explored both in the long term such as in the
development of reflective knowledge and wisdom and in specific situations such as with
refugees in Sri Lanka and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Lastly Exploring the
Psychological Benefits of Hardship: A Critical Reassessment of Posttraumatic Growth concludes
by offering recommendations for scholars and researchers that will improve the quality of
research on posttraumatic growth and will advance this important and worthy field.
