A Meta-Study of Posttraumatic Growth and Coping Strategies

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and different types of coping strategies to explain the mechanism underlying PTG. It also considered whether the relationship takes on different patterns in different cultures, thereby expanding on the existing literature regarding PTG. Initially, we found 666 articles published and unpublished between 2013 and 2020. All potentially eligible studies were examined based on the inclusion criteria for this study. The inclusion criteria ultimately yielded total of 96 studies. The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that the relationship varies depending on the coping strategy and culture. Moreover, identifying the coping strategies involved in overcoming traumatic events may be the key to differentiating real PTG from illusory PTG. The results show that PTG has different correlations with the four groups of coping strategies: problem-focused coping, positive emotion-focused coping, negative emotion-focused coping, and unclassified coping.