Posttraumatic growth in American and Japanese men: Comparing levels of growth and perceptions of indicators of growth.

Recent studies indicate that cross-cultural differences exist in posttraumatic growth (i.e., positive psychological changes as a result of struggling with a highly stressful life event). This study examined how the experiences and perceived indicators of posttraumatic growth varied between American and Japanese men. Based on the posttraumatic growth (PTG) theoretical model, it was hypothesized that American men would report higher PTG than Japanese men, and PTG would vary by the type of event experienced. In addition, this study tested the hypothesis that some indicators of change would be rated as more representative of growth in American men than in Japanese men. American and Japanese men completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) based on their most stressful experience from the past five years and rated how each of the items in the PTGI was indicative of personal growth by using the modified PTGI. Results indicated that American men scored higher on the total PTGI and on three out of five domains of PTG. PTGI scores also varied by the type of event experienced. In the appreciation of life domain of the PTGI, for example, those who lost a loved one reported higher growth than those who experienced injury or severe illness and those who experienced financial or academic problems. PTGI items and domains that were considered to be most indicative of growth differed between American and Japanese men. Suggestions for future research and the potential implications of attending to differences in perceived indicators of PTG are considered.