THE PHENOMENON OF POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical and psychological analysis of the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth as one of the possible outcomes of experiencing traumatic events. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing attention of contemporary psychological science to the investigation not only of the negative consequences of traumatic events but also of potential positive personal changes that may arise in the process of overcoming life crises. It is shown that posttraumatic growth cannot be reduced to a simple recovery of the previous level of psychological functioning after trauma but is associated with the transformation of life meanings, values, and personal perceptions of the self and the surrounding world. The main theoretical approaches to explaining the mechanisms of posttraumatic growth in modern psychological science are summarized. Cognitive models, in which positive changes after trauma are explained through the restructuring of basic beliefs and the cognitive processing of traumatic experiences, are analyzed; humanistic approaches emphasizing internal personal resources, the capacity for self-development, and the formation of new life meanings are considered; as well as integrative approaches that take into account the interaction of psychological, social, and cultural factors in overcoming traumatic experiences. It is substantiated that posttraumatic growth is a complex multidimensional process formed through the interaction of individual psychological characteristics, previous life experience, coping strategies, and sociocultural context. It has been established that cognitive processing of traumatic experience, the formation of new life meanings, and support from the social environment play an important role in this process. The importance of studying the mechanisms of posttraumatic growth for the development of modern approaches to psychological assistance for individuals who have experienced traumatic events, particularly in the context of war and other extreme experiences, is emphasized.