POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG ACCIDENT SURVIVORS: THE IMPACT OF REHABILITATION COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS

Mohammed Nuraddeen Dalhatu

Authors

Mohammed Nuraddeen Dalhatu Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne

Keywords:

Post-Traumatic Growth, Accident Survivors, Rehabilitation Counseling, Coping Mechanisms, & Trauma Recovery

Abstract

Accidents, ranging from motor vehicle collisions to severe workplace injuries, are globally recognized as critical life events that disrupt individuals’ physical, emotional and psychosocial well-being. While much research has historically focused on the pathology of trauma and the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), recent studies highlight the potential for positive psychological transformation following adversity, commonly termed Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). PTG is characterized by growth across five core domains: appreciation of life, enhanced personal strength, improved interpersonal relationships, recognition of new possibilities and spiritual development. Evidence suggests that deliberate cognitive processing, social support, and meaning-making are key mechanisms through which survivors experience these positive changes. This article examines the role of rehabilitation counselling interventions in promoting PTG and fostering adaptive coping strategies, including problem-focused, emotion-focused and meaning-focused coping, among accident survivors. Drawing on contemporary empirical studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses (2018–2025), the review highlights how structured interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, psycho- education, skills training, and peer-support programs can enhance resilience, self-efficacy, and overall psychosocial adjustment post-accident. The review also emphasizes the dynamic interplay between ongoing distress and growth, illustrating that survivors may concurrently experience challenges and positive transformation, which underscores the need for individualized, strength-based rehabilitation approaches. Rehabilitation counseling not only mitigates negative psychological outcomes but also actively facilitates growth, enabling survivors to rebuild agency, identify new life opportunities, and strengthen social and spiritual connections. Implications for clinical practice include the integration of PTG-focused interventions, targeted coping skills training, culturally sensitive approaches and the expansion of accessible services. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies to examine PTG trajectories, mechanisms of therapeutic change, and the effectiveness of technology-enhanced rehabilitation programs.

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POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH AND COPING MECHANISMS AMONG ACCIDENT SURVIVORS: THE IMPACT OF REHABILITATION COUNSELLING INTERVENTIONS

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