Mohr, Danielle S., authorRosén, Lee A., advisorDik, Bryan J., committee memberRichards, Tracy, committee memberBiringen, Zeynep, committee member2015-08-282015-08-282015http://hdl.handle.net/10217/167109Many individuals experience stressful life events in childhood. Historically, attention has been paid to the ways in which these early experiences contribute to later maladjustment. Recently, however, increasing attention has been paid to how many, if not most, individuals who experience early childhood adversity demonstrate good adjustment and report personal growth from surviving these stressful experiences. Deriving benefit in the face of adversity has been termed “posttraumatic growth." This study investigated the relationship between posttraumatic growth and childhood experiences of abuse and neglect. A primary focus of this investigation was on what protective factors, serving as buffers against the negative consequences of trauma, moderated the relationship between childhood experiences of abuse and neglect and posttraumatic growth. This study found that while Acceptance, Positive Reframing and Emotional Support all significantly predicted Posttraumatic Growth, only Prosocial Adults and overall endorsement of social and emotional resources moderated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and posttraumatic growth. These findings have implications for designing effective interventions that foster growth and thriving in individuals who report a history of maltreatment.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.posttraumatic growthmaltreatmentprotective factorsText