Posttraumatic growth profiles and their relationships with HEXACO personality traits

People sometimes realize personal growth as a result of experiencing highly challenging stressful life events, a phenomenon referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study investigated the relationships between personality traits and PTG from a person-centered approach. Specifically, we investigated PTG profiles by looking at distinct levels of the five PTG domains, Personal Strength, Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Appreciation of Life, and Spiritual and Existential Changes, using latent profile analysis. In Study 1, we identified five latent patterns of PTG profiles. In Study 2, we examined the replicability of the PTG profiles by applying the expanded version of the PTG Inventory and tested their relations with the HEXACO personality inventory. The structures of PTG profiles were replicated and the profile showed differential patterns of relationships with personality. Implications of this study, and the applicability of PTG profiles and the use of person-centered approaches for studying PTG are discussed.