Evaluating Resource Gain: Understanding and Misunderstanding Posttraumatic Growth

In a response to an article by Hobfoll and colleagues, theoretical and empirical considerations regarding the concept of posttraumatic growth are reviewed. It is noted that posttraumatic growth should be assessed as such, with measures developed specifically to address this construct; that it follows a challenge to and re-examination of core beliefs, not every bad experience; it can be influenced by many factors; it can coexist with distress during stages of the process without indicating that growth is unimportant or negative; and it can follow various trajectories, including ones where it may at first serve one function, but later involve personally transformative changes.
En réponse à un article de Hobfoll et al., des réflexions théoriques et empiriques concernant le concept de croissance post-traumatique sont menées. On note que la croissance post-traumatique doit être estimée à partir de mesures qui lui sont propres. Il est aussi souligné que la croissance post-traumatique survient après un défi et un réexamen des croyances fondamentales et non après chaque expérience négative. La croissance post-traumatique peut être influencée par de nombreux facteurs, elle peut coexister avec la détresse durant les étapes du processus sans que, pour autant, cela soit un indicateur d'une croissance négative ou peu importante. Enfin, elle peut suivre des trajectoires variées, y compris celles où elle remplit au départ une fonction et ultérieurement est impliquée directement dans des changements.     

Implications of Personal Values in Women's Midlife Development

Researchers disagree on what women experience during midlife and on the goal of that developmental stage. This study explored the experiences of 18 women between the ages of 35 and 60. Diversity in the sample was achieved in marital status, presence or absence of children, education. income, age, and sexual orientation, but the sample was not ethnically diverse. The resulting grounded theory conceptualized an emotional process with 3 parts: (a) assessing circumstances, (b) clarifying personal values, and (c) adjusting behaviors and life circumstances to achieve congruence with values. Implications for counselors are discussed.     

Risk for Suicidal Ideation and Attempt among a Primary Care Sample of Adolescents Engaging in Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury

One in five adolescents in the United States has engaged in nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), one in eight have had serious thoughts of suicide, and one in 25 have attempted suicide. Research suggests that NSSI may increase risk for suicide attempt, yet little is known about the relationship between NSSI and suicidal ideation or attempts. In a primary care setting, 1,561 youth aged 14–24 years completed a brief, comprehensive, mental health screen as part of a routine well visit to determine which factors were most likely to predict suicidal ideation and attempt among youth engaging in NSSI. Results of recursive partitioning revealed that current depression and history of alcohol use best differentiated youth engaging in NSSI with low versus high risk for suicidal ideation and attempts. This simple algorithm is presented as a clinical screening tool that might aid medical providers in determining which youth would benefit from more intensive assessment and intervention.