Intimate Partner Violence, Posttraumatic Growth, and Creative Therapeutic Approaches

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) represents a positive psychological transformation that can follow the experience of trauma, marked by enhanced personal strength, improved relationships, and a renewed sense of life purpose. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of PTG, particularly in relation to Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), resilience, and therapeutic processes among individuals surviving interpersonal violence in the Italian context. Drawing upon foundational theories and recent empirical findings, the chapter explores the cognitive, emotional, and relational dimensions that influence growth after trauma. Further, studies differentiate PTG from resilience, suggesting that while resilience involves maintaining functioning despite adversity, PTG entails a profound psychological restructuring following the breakdown of core beliefs. Attention is also given to the clinical distinction between PTSD and C-PTSD, with reference to the ICD-11 criteria. The chapter discusses how different therapeutic models highlight the importance of safety, emotional regulation, and identity coherence. Importantly, PTG is recognized not as the absence of suffering, but as a process that can coexist with psychological distress. Ultimately, growth arises not from the trauma itself but from the individual&s;s deliberate efforts to confront and make meaning of it. Further research is encouraged to refine clinical interventions and deepen our understanding of PTG across different populations.