The Dynamics Behind Low Posttraumatic Growth in Victims of Type III Traumas: The Case of Syrians and Palestinians

The goal of the study is to explore the dynamics behind the low rates of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in victims of oppression. The objective was to explore these dynamics in Syrians and Palestinians. Utilizing a sample of 179 participants (86.6% were Syrians), we measured cumulative stressors and traumas (CST), resilience, and "will to exist, live, and survive" (WTELS), interfaith spirituality, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), PTG, and existential anxieties. We used PROCESS macro and curve estimation regression to test the WTELS, CST, and PTSD effects on PTG. Results indicated that WTELS had direct and indirect positive effects on PTG. Resilience and spirituality were mediators of the indirect effects. CST's negative effects on PTG were totally mediated by PTSD, which was the main contributor to a lower PTG in these populations. CST effects on PTSD were mediated by existential anxieties. The nonlinear modes of the relationship between PTSD and PTG accounted for more variance than the linear model. Implications of the results and interventions to enhance PTG in oppression victims were discussed.