Background
Following a traumatic event, individuals may experience a period of positive change known as post-traumatic growth (PTG) (Blevins & Tedeschi, in press; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995). Experiencing PTG has been shown to lead to increased wisdom, self-compassion, and meaning-making (Glad et al., 2013; Chapman, 2019). Researchers have provided evidence for a potential pathway between PTG and wisdom; PTG can lead to more meaning in life, which in turn leads to more wisdom (Aldwin & Levenson, 2004; Chapman, 2019). However, there is little research available on how processes like self-compassion can influence the relationship between PTG, meaning, and wisdom.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
The current study examines whether meaning-making and self-compassion provide an indirect pathway between PTG and wisdom.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
Participants were 111 emerging adults (ages 18 to 29) from Canada and the United States who had experienced a traumatic event.
Design
Participants completed an online survey about self-compassion, meaning in life, PTG, and wisdom.
Results
Self-compassion, presence of meaning, PTG, and wisdom were all significantly positively correlated. Path analysis demonstrated a relatively good fit to our proposed model in which self-compassion mediates the relationship between PTG and presence of meaning, and presence of meaning has a direct effect on wisdom. The total indirect effect of this pathway was significant. PTG indirectly predicted meaning in life with self-compassion acting as a partial mediator; furthermore, PTG indirectly predicted wisdom through the presence of meaning.
Scientific Contribution
The findings of this study offer empirical support for the role of self-compassion in developing meaning through PTG and in developing wisdom through trauma, highlighting the importance of using compassion-focused interventions in the treatment of trauma.