Abstract
Recently there is a growing interest in the phenomenon ‘posttraumatic growth’: the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with a highly challenging life crisis. Until now, research on PTG was for the most part directed at demonstrating that the phenomenon PTG exists. However, little
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is known about the mechanisms which play a part in (the process) of posttraumatic growth. As PTG is associated with beneficial psychological and sometimes even physical health outcomes it is of (clinical) interest to investigate how the process of PTG can be facilitated. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate, both theoretically and empirically, how and under which conditions, the confrontation with undesirable disruptive life events can result in person development or transformation of the person and concomitant well-being. Since ancient times disorders that are connected with unexpected breaches in the life course are made manageable by means of certain symbolic structures, e.g. transformational metaphors. The rationale being to provide people with a new and more encompassing perspective toward self, problems and others. Coming in contact with these salutogenic symbolic structures, which are abundantly present in several ancient (e.g. spiritual traditions and world literature) and contemporary (e.g. films) cultural resources, may have effect on the well-being of people when they succeed in mapping their own life experiences onto them. First, it was investigated whether there is a scientific basis in the literature for the hypothesis that certain symbolic tools are suited for inducing meaning-quest and meaning-finding (both are aspects of posttraumatic growth) in persons after confrontation with adversity. A conceptual framework concerning meaning-quest and meaning-making was formulated. Next, in two separate longitudinal case studies it was investigated whether persons who experienced pressure for meaning after the confrontation with adversity ‘spontaneously’ used certain symbolic structures, e.g. transformational metaphors, to reorder their experiences. In one of these studies a person was followed daily over a one-year period. Time- series analyses were used in order to investigate whether use of symbolic structures resulted in a subsequent increased coherence of life experiences as well as enhanced well-being. Arima-based analyses provided supportive evidence for this hypothesis. Next, for clinical purposes , a theory guided aftercare group-program ‘Op Verhaal Komen’ (OVK) was constructed. The effectiveness of OVK was investigated within a group of ex-facialis patients. The results showed that the film-based OVK-intervention has the potential in contributing to the acquiring of a new life perspective and concomitant well-being. This research makes a contribution in charting mechanisms which play a role in the process of PTG. Based on empirical research it has been shown that at least some transformational metaphors can have a positive influence on the personal growth and well-being of people who have experienced life disruption. This investigation shows that mapping one’s own life experiences onto the symbolic structure implied by a transformational metaphor leads to new meaning for a life crisis and associated emotional valuations. These insights may be helpful in supporting people who have experienced major adversity
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