From past trauma to post-traumatic growth: The role of self in participants with serious mental illnesses

Studies have shown that people with serious mental illness are more likely to have experienced trauma compared to the general population. This qualitative study employed a grounded theory approach to explore how trauma histories influenced the process of triggering, developing, and recovering from serious mental illness. Findings based on in-depth interviews with 15 participants illustrated the intersection of trauma, serious mental illness, and post-traumatic growth. Experiencing trauma compromised participants’ self-functioning, causing issues such as affect dysregulation, distorted self- and other- concepts and relationship difficulties, meaninglessness, and existential fears, all of which negatively impacted participants’ mental health and behavior. At the same time, participants with serious mental illness were able to achieve post-traumatic growth with the “transformed-self” via self-acceptance, self-exploration, self-worth, and self-fulfillment. Findings of this study have useful implications for trauma-informed care in mental health treatment. Mental health professionals should address clients’ trauma histories to prevent re-traumatization and design trauma-informed programs that use and build clients’ inner resources and strengths to promote post-traumatic growth.