%0 Journal Article
%T The Relationship of Personality, Spirituality and Posttraumatic Growth to Subjective Wellbeing
%A Michael Galea
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 1
%N 8
%P 1-10
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2014
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1101069
%X A growing number of studies are indicating that a
number of people report psychological growth after experiencing trauma. This
may be so because suffering stimulates the need and search for meaning [1]. In this
cross-sectional and correlational study, we sought the relationship of subjective
wellbeing to posttraumatic growth in view of past trauma experiences and
perceived stress. In particular, we investigated a sample of tertiary students¡¯
perceived stress, past traumas, subjective well-being, faith maturity, positive
and negative affect, and personality, together with demographic correlates. Past
traumas included loss of a loved one, chronic or acute illness, injury,
divorce, violent crime, and job loss, amongst others. Only a quarter of
respondents experienced their trauma/s 5 years or more prior the study, thus
indicating relatively recent trauma experiences. Post-traumatic growth correlated
with personality, faith maturity, wellbeing and positive affect. In examining
the patterns of correlations noted above, a hierarchical multiple regression
analysis was employed. Posttraumatic growth was found to have unique variance
even after partialling out key variables such as perceived stress, personality
and faith maturity. Although situational factors and personality did play
important roles, this study clearly points at the relevance of faith maturity and
posttraumatic growth for the promotion of holistic wellbeing of those affected
by trauma. Religious beliefs may counter hopelessness and form an important
buffer in this equation. The psycho-social implications of these results were
discussed.
%K Posttraumatic Growth
%K Spirituality
%K Wellbeing
%K Trauma
%K Stress
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/3129293