Abstract
Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is defined as “positive psychological changes experienced as a result of the struggle with traumatic or highly challenging life experiences” (Tedeschi et al., 2018, p. 3). Trauma affects 60% to 80% of the population (Boals, 2018). This is especially true for service members and veterans (SM/V) due to the inherent danger that comes with the job. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its many comorbidities can plague the SM/V population. Treatment options are well-established but not always effective. Bibliotherapy can present a non-threatening way to introduce alternative perspectives, such as PTG, to navigating trauma. The aim of this study was to determine if implementing a book discussion group could prove to be an effective way to introduce and facilitate the concept of PTG to the target audience of service members and veterans. Though this pilot study was too small to offer definitive implications (n = 7), PTG was demonstrated by the results of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory - Expanded (PTGI-X) that revealed a statistically significant difference in the growth achieved between the pre-test and post-test (t[6] = -4.06, p = 0.01, d = -1.53), as well as a large effect size of the intervention. Evidence of PTG was supported by the large effect size and statistically significant reduction of PTSD symptoms shown in the results between the pre-test and post-test of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) (t[6] = 3.62, p = 0.01, d = 1.37). While the reduction of trauma-related guilt was not supported by this study, the desire to help others was partially supported by the moderate effect size noted in the analysis of the results of the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS; Guay et al., 2000).
Advisor
Jason Kaufman
Committee Member
Dianne Coursol
Committee Member
Nichole Kluemper
Date of Degree
2024
Language
english
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Program of Study
Educational Doctorate Degree
Department
Educational Leadership
College
Education
Recommended Citation
Craig,Susan. (2024). Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth Among Service Members and Veterans Through a Book Study Group Intervention [Doctoral dissertation, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1445/
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