posttraumatic growth

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on self-efficacy and posttraumatic growth in women with breast cancer. Methods: This quasi-experimental study (pre-test - post-test with control group) involved 30 women with breast cancer in Sari (2021) who were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two groups of 15 participants each, an experimental group and a control group. The measurement instruments used were the General Self-Efficacy Scale by Schwarzer and Jerusalem (1979) and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996), completed by the participants. Subsequently, participants in the experimental group attended 10 sessions of 60-minute emotion-focused therapy over a period of ten weeks. However, no therapy sessions were conducted for the control group. Ultimately, data analysis was performed using the covariance analysis method. Findings: The analysis revealed that after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in both variables of self-efficacy and posttraumatic growth (p ≤ .05). Significant differences were observed in the components of self-efficacy (general self-preparedness and social self-efficacy) and three components of posttraumatic growth (relating to others, personal strength, and appreciation of life) between the women in the experimental and control groups (p ≤ .05); however, no significant differences were observed in the components of new possibilities and spiritual change. Conclusion: The use of emotion-focused therapy is an appropriate intervention to enhance self-efficacy and posttraumatic growth in women with breast cancer, which can be beneficial for improving psychological well-being and better coping with the disease and treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how narrative reframing functions as a coping and meaning-making mechanism among Taiwanese families experiencing trauma. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was adopted using purposive sampling to recruit 26 participants from Taiwan who had directly experienced family trauma, including bereavement, illness, or sudden life disruptions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Each interview lasted 60–90 minutes, was audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis facilitated by NVivo 14 software. An inductive coding approach was applied to identify open codes, subcategories, and overarching themes, with constant comparison used to refine findings. Research rigor was ensured through reflexive memo-writing, triangulation of coding among team members, and maintaining an audit trail. Findings: Analysis yielded three overarching themes: (1) Emotional reconstruction through narrative reframing, where participants processed trauma-related emotions, reduced guilt and shame, regulated distress, and cultivated hope; (2) Relational transformation within the family system, including improved communication, redefined roles, conflict resolution, trust rebuilding, and strengthened intergenerational understanding; and (3) Identity and future orientation, where families reframed themselves as survivors, emphasized personal growth, redefined goals and values, and expressed aspirations to transmit resilience across generations. Participants highlighted that narrative reframing enabled them to transform suffering into continuity, strengthen bonds, and situate trauma within cultural and spiritual frameworks that emphasized endurance and meaning. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that narrative reframing is a powerful coping process in families experiencing trauma, allowing for emotional healing, relational adaptation, and the construction of resilient family identities. This study underscores the importance of integrating narrative approaches into therapeutic interventions to support families in navigating trauma, rebuilding trust, and envisioning hopeful futures.