(Rhetorical Analysis)
“Post-Traumatic Growth” (PTG) refers to the concept that individuals can experience positive psychological changes following a traumatic event. The phenomenon of post-traumatic growth shines a light on the human spirit’s remarkable capacity to transform adversity into strength, resilience, and newfound purpose. We see this in people who have endured war, natural disasters, job loss, economic stress, serious illnesses, and injuries. Despite the result of misery, many of us can expect to develop in beneficial ways in its aftermath; and leaders can help others do so too. While trauma itself is undeniably painful and challenging, the potential for positive growth in its wake is a testament to the incredible power of human adaptation and the indomitable will to thrive.
Analyzing the rhetoric surrounding both the main concept and its sub-claim involves examining how language and communication strategies are used to convey the idea of growth after trauma and the outcome of its various facets. In “Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences” published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, on behalf of the Nordic College of Caring Science, a purposeful sample of seven women and five men were selected whose backgrounds and history of trauma varied but who had all experienced post-traumatic growth. With full credibility to the National Bioethics Committee in Iceland, this opportunity gave the ability to deepen research on comprehending PTG. Based on their research, it is said that post-traumatic growth is indeed prevalent. Still, there are different factors that map out the process to help one end up on a positive note mentally. As participants began recounting their path from trauma to post-traumatic growth, researchers stated; “The six main influencing factors were significant others, environmental factors, further traumas, internal factors, professionals and the system and, finally, rehabilitation.” The outcomes of these traumas carried substantial weight, bringing them perilously close to compromising their physical and mental well-being. Nevertheless, they expressed gratitude for this demanding life ordeal and characterized their post-traumatic growth as a precious result of their hardship. Each of them detailed how this life experience had molded their character and fostered a positive shift in their perspective on life, even as they continued to confront challenging moments.
“In some cases, this narrative around the potential to grow could be oppressive,” says Jayawickreme, now a professor of psychology at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, US. According to David Robson’s article “The complicated truth of post-traumatic growth”, post-traumatic growth is not simply a return to baseline. It requires an experience of improvement that, for some persons, is deeply profound. “We should be especially wary of encouraging people to see positive transformations resulting from their trauma.” He brings up not only one case study but multiple factors of living trauma and chances of growth afterward. Although PTG is more comfortable to talk about, in reality, these certain perceptions can cause expectations, which can be a very high risk for one’s mental health. He states, “ One study examined soldiers deployed in Iraq for 15 months after they had returned home from service. The soldiers who reported greater post-traumatic growth five months after their return tended to show worse symptoms of PTSD at the end of the study.” Continuing to remind us of the fact that results and topics can immensely vary due to sensitivity, yet due to this fragility, we are warned to remember that this is not guaranteed for each individual.
Both articles employ ethos, pathos, and logos, but they each use these elements to emphasize different aspects of post-traumatic growth. Logical reasoning is presented behind David’s article by explaining how societal pressure to appear strong can be detrimental to mental health with the verification of numerous psychologists’ studies, whilst the Journal focuses on the great potential for post-traumatic growth to enhance well-being with first-hand experimental research. Personal stories of individuals who have gone through trauma are shared to be used as anecdotes, aimed to evoke emotions like empathy and concern in readers. Extended with the combination of proof behind their research which further clarifies their work, expressing their level of knowledge and trust to the audience. After researching both articles, the tone projected by each author is crucial for us to understand. In spite of similarities through ways of approach, with proper language two completely different pictures are depicted. In “Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences”, professionalism and empowerment is encouraged next to informative subjects, when “The complicated truth of post-traumatic growth” tends to use cautionary language about the potential pitfalls of overemphasizing growth.
Through expert credibility, emotional narratives, logical frameworks, and consistent rhetorical strategies, the discourse encourages individuals to recognize the potential for positive transformation after adversity and to consider the different dimensions in which growth can occur. In order to predict relevant outcomes, we need to know both the traumatic event’s severity as perceived by the victim and the victim’s pre-trauma core beliefs. In embracing the concept of post-traumatic growth, we acknowledge the complexities of the human experience and the potential for transformation that exists within us all.
TWO SOURCES:
The Challenging Journey from Trauma to Post‐traumatic Growth: Lived …, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/scs.13037. Accessed 10 Aug. 2023.
Robson, David. “The Complicated Truth of Post-Traumatic Growth.” BBC Worklife, 20 Feb. 2023, www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220311-the-complicated-truth-of-post-traumatic-growth.