(Re-)conceptualising Post-Traumatic Growth: A Social Identity-Informed Approach

Traditional models of post-traumatic growth (PTG) focus mostly on the role of individual processes in its development, often at the cost of understanding processes other than individual-level factors that can shape positive post-trauma appraisals and recovery. In this perspectives piece, we seek to address this imbalance by developing an understanding of PTG that accounts for the ways that our membership of social groups pre- and post-trauma affect outcomes. In particular, we draw upon the social identity model of traumatic identity change to highlight how social group memberships—and the social identities derived from these group memberships—enable access to psychological resources (e.g., of belonging, solidarity, support, and self-esteem) that can help adjustment through (re-)shaping core beliefs affected by trauma. Building upon this, we propose a revised framework of PTG that acknowledges the role these social identity processes play in supporting positive post-trauma trajectories of recovery. By illuminating these social identity pathways contributing to growth, we aim to advance our understanding of the psychological resources provided by the social groups we belong to, to support recovery for trauma survivors and make growth possible.