ReviewprimarychallengesVerified
Post-traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations
Eranda Jayawickreme, Frank J. Infurna, et al. · 2021 · Journal of Personality, 89(1), 145-165
Spiritual Evidence Map/Last updated May 10, 2026/Claims v1.0.0-provisional/Sources v1.0.0/Scores provisional
Summary
Critical review arguing that self-reported posttraumatic growth is difficult to equate with durable positive personality change and needs stronger longitudinal evidence.
Why it matters here
Keeps the suffering-growth pages balanced by separating real meaning-making from the overclaim that trauma is reliably beneficial.
Linked claims
Evidence score 4/10
Life is for learning and growth
A widespread frame supported by NDE life reviews and post-traumatic growth literature. Cosmic curriculum is interpretation.
Evidence score 7/10
Suffering can produce growth
Post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) is documented across many populations. Not everyone grows; those who do report real change.