Damaged? Not Me: Women's Lived Experience of Growth Following Multiple Traumas

Abstract

Posttraumatic growth has been found to develop following a wide variety of adverse life events. This study utilizes Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to lend an understanding to women’s lived experiences of growth following multiple trauma experiences, as little is known about the positive growth outcomes following multiple hardships. Nine women who have experienced complex multiple traumas were interviewed about their posttraumatic growth. The findings revealed five main growth facilitating processes as being important catalysts to the development of growth within these women’s lives, as well as identified five main areas of growth. Growth facilitating processes included: (1) belief in growth potential, (2) growth as a conscious purposeful process, (3) aligning with hope and spirituality, (4) positive role models and supportive others, and (5) knowledge and skill development. The experiences of growth consisted of: (1) a compassionate self, (2) a better self, (3) an empowered self, (4) moving forward in preferred directions, and (5) aligning with gratitude. This study shows that women’s lived experiences of growth following multiple traumas are similar to the findings of previous posttraumatic growth research with single type traumas. The findings challenge the stigma of being forever damaged after multiple trauma experiences.