| dc.description.abstract | In the context of the UK National Health System (NHS) experiencing high demand for mental health support with limited-resources, alongside many individuals experiencing trauma-related distress, there is a growing need for improved trauma-informed care. Post Traumatic Growth (PTG), a positive psychological change following trauma-related struggle, presents a hopeful opportunity for positive change following trauma, associated with adaptive coping, resilience, and recovery. Individually, expressive writing (EW) and
higher levels of self-compassion (SC) have been associated with higher PTG levels, related to the promotion of adaptive cognitive processing. This study
aimed to approach PTG-facilitation for individuals suffering from trauma-related distress in an innovative way by combining core elements of SC into an EW intervention. Effects of a novel, four-week, SC-focused EW intervention on selfreported Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) levels, self-compassion (SC) and Post Traumatic Growth (PTSD) symptomology were investigated via a multiple baseline single case experimental design (MB-SCED). Eight female participants (age M=33.6, range=22-46) experiencing ongoing trauma-related distress completed the study. Results reflected an overall insignificant, small effect size of the intervention on self-reported PTG and SC scores, which are discussed considering study limitations. This study contributes to and calls for more research in the growing body of literature around PTG-facilitation techniques for trauma survivors. | en_GB |
