Complicated Grief and Post-Traumatic Growth in Traumatically Bereaved Siblings and Close Friends

Abstract

Experiencing a loss is hard, and traumatic deaths may add to the strain. However, many bereaved may experience post-loss positive changes, also known as post-traumatic growth. The aim of this paper was to explore the relationship between complicated grief and post-traumatic growth in 131 young adults, either close friends or siblings. Significant differences were found between males and females, were females had higher scores on PTG, but not between siblings and close friends. Most growth was reported for relationship with others and appreciation of life.