Posttraumatic growth after cancer

Abstract Chapter 5 considers the concept of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in cancer survivors. Demographic factors, previous trauma, type of trauma, and onset of trauma are related to PTG after cancer. Personality traits, the way people ruminate, and the way they cope with trauma can influence PTG in different ways. Carers of cancer survivors, such as parents of children with cancer, may also develop PTG. The parent–child relationship can influence the adjustment of childhood cancer survivors. In addition to parents, siblings of children with cancer may also be affected by PTG. PTG has also been researched in children of parents with cancer, partners or spouses of loved ones with cancer. As PTG can act as a stress buffer, various interventions have been developed to improve resilience, self-efficacy, PTG and psychological distress and quality of life.