Traumatology

 

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Traumatology, Vol. 12, No. 1, 45-59 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/153476560601200104

Posttraumatic Growth and HIV Bereavement: Where Does it Start and When Does it End?

Susan Cadell

School of Social Work & Family Studies, University of British Columbia, 2080 West Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada, scadell{at}interchange.ubc.ca

Richard Sullivan

School of Social Work & Family Studies, University of British Columbia, 2080 West Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada, richsul{at}interchange.ubc.ca

There is growing interest in researching posttraumatic growth and understanding how to enhance positive outcomes in trauma survivors. This study undertook a systematic exploration of the posttraumatic growth in bereaved caregivers of people with HIV/AIDS. Following a survey (n=174), in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 individuals. Quantitative and qualitative data are used to illustrate how those who had low scores of posttraumatic growth recounted positive outcomes. Methodological and clinical implications are explored.

Key Words: Posttraumatic growth • mixed methods • HIV bereavement • trauma and recovery • iatrogenic effects of research interventions

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This Article
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