This study aimed to explore the process of posttraumatic growth of injured patients after a motor vehicle accident in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six patients. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four main super-ordinate themes emerged: construction of meaning; perception of self; perception of connection; and perception of life philosophy. These themes describe growth and emotional distress which may well coexist. Posttraumatic growth can be seen as one outcome of a process of struggling with traumatic injuries. Some strategies for facilitating posttraumatic growth are discussed. Health-care providers may help the recovery of injured patients by facilitating posttraumatic growth.
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