Posttraumatic growth of injured patients after motor vehicle accidents: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

J Health Psychol. 2012 Mar;17(2):297-308. doi: 10.1177/1359105311410511. Epub 2011 Jun 22.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the process of posttraumatic growth of injured patients after a motor vehicle accident in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six patients. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four main super-ordinate themes emerged: construction of meaning; perception of self; perception of connection; and perception of life philosophy. These themes describe growth and emotional distress which may well coexist. Posttraumatic growth can be seen as one outcome of a process of struggling with traumatic injuries. Some strategies for facilitating posttraumatic growth are discussed. Health-care providers may help the recovery of injured patients by facilitating posttraumatic growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / psychology*
  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patients / psychology*
  • Young Adult