From Trauma to Growth: How Peritraumatic and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Pave the Way for Posttraumatic Growth - 22/03/26

Doi : 10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100668

Ayla KAHİL ^a,^⁎ , Esra IŞIK ^b

^a Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey

^b Department of Psychology, Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, Ankara, Turkey

^⁎ Corresponding author, Etimesgut, Ankara, Turkey; +905323032100 Etimesgut Ankara Turkey

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Abstract

Background

Exposure to trauma can lead to both peritraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG), yet the nature of the relationship between these two common outcomes is controversial. Despite their prevalence, there is a lack of research examining how peritraumatic reactions specifically influence these posttraumatic outcomes. It remains unclear whether early distress and dissociation function as barriers or catalysts for the psychological transformation that follows traumatic experiences.

Objective

This study investigated how peritraumatic distress and peritraumatic dissociation shape PTG within a Turkish population. Specifically, it tested the nature of the PTSD-PTG relationship and examined whether PTSD symptoms mediate the links between peritraumatic reactions and subsequent growth.

Methods

414 Turkish adults who had experienced various traumatic events participated the study. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Peritraumatic Distress Inventory, Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Hierarchical linear regression and mediation analyses were conducted, controlling for gender and cumulative trauma exposure.

Results

The findings revealed a robust linear relationship between PTSD and PTG, with no evidence of a curvilinear association. Regression analysis showed that gender and cumulative trauma exposure were consistent predictors of PTG. Peritraumatic dissociation positively predicted PTG even after controlling for PTSD. Mediation analysis indicated that PTSD symptoms partially mediated the relationship between peritraumatic dissociation and PTG, while no mediation was found for peritraumatic distress.

Conclusions

Results suggest that psychological transformation can emerge even alongside high distress. The link between dissociation, PTSD and growth indicates that dissociative experiences may serve as a cognitive buffer that triggers the reflective processing necessary for meaning-making. Clinically, practitioners should view these early reactions as opportunities for fostering resilience through memory integration and deliberate rumination.

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Keywords : PTSD, posttraumatic growth, peritraumatic distress, peritraumatic dissociation, lineer relationship