Self-labeling as a survivor predicts perceived posttraumatic growth

Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) can challenge core beliefs about the self, prompting cognitive processes that shape recovery and perceived posttraumatic growth (PPTG). The present research examined whether self-labeling—identifying as a survivor versus a victim—predicts PPTG beyond established predictors such as event centrality, resilience, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Study 1 involved 323 undergraduates who identified an experience of discrimination and completed measures of PPTG, self-labeling, PTSS, event centrality, and resilience. Study 2 replicated this design with 212 community participants who selected their most distressing event. Across both studies, self-labeling as a survivor was significantly and positively correlated with PPTG and predicted unique variance in PPTG when controlling for all covariates. Self-labeling as a victim also correlated positively with PPTG, although this relationship became nonsignificant when PTSS was included. Results highlight survivor self-labeling as a distinct cognitive process contributing to positive reinterpretation and meaning reconstruction following trauma.