Abstract
M.A.
A trauma represents a negative event that severely challenges or breaks down the assumptive
world, or the set of mental frameworks an individual uses to understand the self, other people,
and the world. Trauma is associated with distress and can lead to a variety of negative
physical and psychological outcomes. However, experiencing a traumatic event has the
potential to result in positive individual outcomes, a phenomenon known as posttraumatic
growth (PTG). Posttraumatic growth is associated with positive changes within the domains
of the self, relationships with others, and life perspective and is also linked to greater physical
and mental well-being after a trauma.
Executive functioning refers to a collection of higher order cognitive processes that support
complex human functioning. The higher order nature of these processes implies that executive
functions are under the conscious control of the individual and, consequently, support flexible
cognition and behaviour. As such, executive functions allow individuals to adapt to a variety
of situations, particularly those that are new or complex, where existing guides for thinking
and behaving are inadequate.
Given the role of executive functioning in adaptive functioning, it is reasoned that executive
functions will play a role in rebuilding the assumptive world in the aftermath of a trauma.
Because PTG can occur as a result of this rebuilding process, it is further suggested that
executive functioning plays a role in the experience of growth. However, little research was
found to directly investigate the relationship between executive functions and PTG. As such,
the present study investigated executive functioning as a predictor of posttraumatic growth.
The study used archival data obtained from 1063 first and second year psychology students at
the University of Johannesburg. Executive functioning was assessed using the Executive
Function Index (EFI) and posttraumatic growth was assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth
Inventory (PTGI). A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the
relationship between the two variables of interest.
The study found support for a relationship between executive functioning and PTG in that
higher levels of executive functioning related to higher levels of posttraumatic growth.
Furthermore, the executive functions of Strategic Planning, Motivational Drive, and Empathy...