| Abstract
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There is a need to find effective treatment for returning soldiers from the current war in Afghanistan and Iraq (Operation Enduring Freedom; OEF; and Operation Iraqi Freedom; OIF). As these soldiers return home, 40% present with behavioral health issues and current projections estimate that 30% of combatants will develop psychopathology (VHA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards, 2008). Many combat veterans have been exposed to multiple traumatic events during war. Additionally, soldiers are perpetrators as well as victims in war, making guilt a contributing factor to traumatic reaction. The purpose of this conceptual-analytic study was to examine the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and to explore the implications of the concept of PTG for treatment of OEF/OIF veterans. The paper begins with an extensive integrative literature review on PTG. This review shows that individual characteristics such as social support, optimism, adaptive coping style, and the ability to reflect on and find meaning in memories of war, facilitate the development of PTG (Cheng et al., 2006; Feder et al., 2008; Lev-Weisel & Amir, 2006; Maguen et al., 2006; Rosner & Powell, 2006). Clinical writings and research have also found that those who are exposed to greater degrees of trauma are more able to perceive benefits in the experience than those with less exposure. Finally, case vignettes and available research show that group or individual psychotherapy soon after soldiers return facilitates evolution from PTSD symptoms to PTG. In the final chapters of this dissertation, case vignettes and experiences of the author are used to show how PTG can inform psychotherapy with OEF/OIF veterans. Those who have achieved PTG report a greater appreciation of the simple joys in life, renewed appreciation and ability to sustain deeper relationships post trauma, a new sense of self-worth and emotional fortitude, and a consideration of new life paths and new spiritual understanding. It is hoped that this dissertation will help other clinicians guide their clients to find positive growth in the wake of traumatic life experience.
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