The past five years have been challenging for many Australians. Traumatic events have been prevalent across the Australian community, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has been particularly acute for frontline workers who can be exposed to various traumatic events.

“Specific workers, such as the military, emergency service personnel, journalists, justice and healthcare workers, can be exposed to potentially traumatic events through their ordinary work roles,” Sir Roland Wilson scholar Jennnifer Wheeler says.

Jennifer explains a potentially traumatic event is any event that involves experiencing or witnessing actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence.

It has been estimated up to three quarters of Australians will be exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event during their lifetime.

Historically, research has focused on the development of psychological disorders following exposure to a traumatic event, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being the most widely researched stress-related disorder.

The Department of Defence scholar says:

“Focusing on a pathogenic framework following a traumatic event however, may not fully capture or reflect an individual’s experience or functioning post trauma.

“A growing body of research has demonstrated some trauma survivors can experience positive psychological change following a traumatic event.

“Positive adaptation or change following a trauma has been termed post-traumatic growth or PTG.”

“PTG has been shown to reduce the likelihood of trauma-related mental health problems and may lead to a higher satisfaction with life. PTG can also offer strong protective elements following exposure to a traumatic event, including a reduction in suicidal ideation.”

Jennifer says that initiatives designed to increase awareness of, and promote, PTG could lead to positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

Jennifer’s PhD research examines awareness of PTG (also known as mental health literacy), in addition to piloting a preventive-focused PTG psychoeducation and skills development program.

Through her research, Jennifer is developing a bespoke scale which could be used to measure and report levels of PTG literacy within the community and in workgroups which are exposed to traumatic events.

“Mental health literacy is an important part of preventive healthcare – it can increase the likelihood of help-seeking behaviours, leading to an individual receiving appropriate health treatment.”

One of Jennifer’s research studies measured awareness of PTG and PTSD in a workgroup which has exposure to traumatic events. Interim findings found that most respondents were aware of PTSD, however less than one quarter had heard of PTG before.

“These findings show while there appears to be a general understanding of PTSD, what is less known is the potential for growth following a traumatic event. This is an area in which awareness and knowledge of trauma outcomes could be increased.”

To address this, Jennifer has developed and piloted a preventative-designed PTG psychoeducation and skills development program for ADF members This pilot program is designed to increase PTG literacy and confidence in skills, which have been demonstrated to promote growth following a traumatic event.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• 13YARN on 13 92 76
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Head to Health
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Open Arms confidential mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving ADF members and their families) on 1800 011 046.

The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship is a three-year, full-pay scholarship for PhD research at The Australian National University for high performing EL1 and EL2 Australian Public Service employees.

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Image: Kelly Chen Photography