What promotes post traumatic growth? A systematic review

People who experience major life crises often report post-traumatic stress. However, the literature suggests that traumatic experiences can also be "catalysts" for positive change (i.e., posttraumatic growth; PTG). PTG (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006) include improved relationships, new possibilities one’s life, a greater appreciation sense of personal strength, and spiritual development. While general population isn’t confronted with events regularly, individuals such as firefighters, policemen, EMTs are. But what factors foster emergence PTG? To answer this question, systematic search four database (Psychology Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect) was conducted. Some promoted included sharing negative emotions, cognitive processing or rumination, coping strategies (e.g. reappraisal), personality traits agreeableness), experiencing multiple sources trauma, event centrality, resilience, growth actions. Other were mediators rather than direct influencers (e.g., seeking social support coping, support, optimism, etc.). Finally, studies show correlation between aggressive behavior suggesting may more nuanced originally thought. By exploring systematically in trauma-exposed professionals, we hope review will both provide avenues future research help design methods prevention intervention first responders.