THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING POSTTRAUMATIC  GROWTH IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY

Ostap Buriak

doi:10.23856/7129

Ostap Buriak Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8470-2058

Keywords: posttraumatic growth, trauma, PTSD, psychological factors, resilience

Abstract

This article provides an analytical overview of theoretical approaches to posttraumatic growth (PTG) in contemporary psychology. Drawing on peer-reviewed Ukrainian and international research, it traces the development of PTG as a psychological concept, from its origins in positive psychology to its current multidimensional models. The paper examines key definitions, conceptual boundaries, and the relationship between PTG, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It highlights the principal theoretical frameworks, including cognitive-existential, developmental, and narrative approaches, and evaluates their contributions to understanding the mechanisms underlying PTG. The review identifies core psychological factors associated with PTG, such as meaning-making, cognitive restructuring, resilience, and the role of social support. Special attention is paid to methodological challenges in PTG research, including reliance on self-report measures, the distinction between perceived and actual growth, and the need for longitudinal designs. The analysis also considers the cultural and contextual influences shaping PTG, emphasizing the importance of accounting for socio-historical conditions and collective experiences, particularly in societies affected by large-scale crises. The article concludes by outlining research gaps and recommending future directions for the development of empirically grounded, culturally sensitive PTG models that can inform both theoretical discourse and applied psychological practice.

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