Finding strength in adversity: Exploring the process of posttraumatic growth among multicultural individuals.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We explore the process of posttraumatic growth for multicultural individuals after experiences of cumulative multicultural identity-relevant adversity. METHOD: = 526; 40.1% men, 59.9% women) using a conditional process analysis. RESULTS: Findings from Study 1 indicate that participants appreciated environments that valued diversity, and this helped participants positively frame their cumulative adversities. Participants also described how the struggle with these adversities fostered psychological wellbeing outcomes of personal growth and positive relations with others. Results from Study 2 indicate that appreciation of diversity mediates and positive framing moderates the relationship between discrimination and personal growth, thus supporting and building on the findings in Study 1. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these studies highlight the significance of including cumulative adversity in the posttraumatic growth process for multicultural individuals, while identifying appreciation of diversity and positive framing as potential postadversarial growth mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).