Investigation of the Relationship Between Posttraumatic Growth and Emotion Expression Levels in a Non-Clinical Sample

Abstract

Traumatic experiences are defined as experiences that occur during the normal course of life and negatively affect individuals' adaptation to life by disabling their coping mechanisms. As a result of traumatic experiences, disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD are frequently observed. However, facing a traumatic event does not always lead to such results, and it is also possible for the person to become stronger than his/her previous situation. One of these positive changes is posttraumatic growth. Posttraumatic growth is affected by some individual and environmental factors, one of which is emotional expression. In this context, this study aims to reveal the relationship between expressing emotions and posttraumatic growth. Personal Information Form, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and Emotion Expression Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. Within the scope of the study, 309 participants aged between 18 and 58 years with at least one traumatic experience and without a psychiatric diagnosis were reached. According to the findings obtained, it shows that the participants' posttraumatic growth levels (56.10 ± 20.80) and expression of emotions levels (65.60 ± 12.20) are at a moderate level. There is a positive relationship between posttraumatic growth and expressing emotions, and it is seen that the level of expressing emotions significantly predicts posttraumatic growth and explains 16% of the variance. As a result, this study reveals the relationship between emotional expression and posttraumatic growth.