Spirituality Aids in Post-Traumatic Growth, Study Finds

Spiritual — but not necessarily religious — practices can contribute to post-traumatic growth.

As being “trauma-informed” becomes increasingly recognized as essential to addressing mental and physical health issues in both ourselves and others, new research sheds light on how different approaches to trauma can help or harm us. A recent study from researchers at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, published in the journal PLOS ONE, has found that post-traumatic growth is aided by contemplative practices that are spiritual (but not necessarily religious), in contrast with the rumination that further ingrains trauma in our system.

The study explored the difference between the types of repetitive thinking that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and those that result in post-traumatic growth. PTSD is often characterized by intrusive rumination and unwanted thoughts, or reliving of the trauma. Conversely, PTG is associated with deliberate rumination, which makes meaning of the experience, and leads to positive outcomes such as improved relationships and a greater appreciation for life.

Deliberate rumination, in contrast to intrusive rumination, can support post-traumatic growth.

Researchers drew on online surveys of 96 adults who’d experienced a traumatic life event after the age of 16 years (but not within the past four months) to determine whether high levels of spirituality and deliberate rumination aided in PTG — which is more commonly reported following short-term traumas, such as earthquakes or natural disasters, than in response to sustained trauma such as child abuse. They found that patients who identified as more spiritual experienced both more deliberate rumination and more PTG.

Simultaneously, they found that spirituality did not moderate the levels of traumatic stress experienced as a result of these events — nor did the amount of time that had passed have an impact. “Simply waiting for time to pass did not result in personal growth,” lead author Catrin Eames wrote in an article for The Conversation. “In short, it’s not time that heals, but how you use time.”

Eames also posited some explanations for how spiritual practices can aid people in developing more useful methods of processing trauma. “They expect to have their beliefs shaken every once in a while and use contemplation to deal with the fallout,” Eames wrote. “This could be because they feel supported by a spiritual community that lessens isolation or grief. They routinely practice forgiveness, relaxation, reflection or meditation practices.”