I can't imagine doing anything else: The role of generativity and posttraumatic growth in the career decisions of social workers
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2021-04-30
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Abstract
The process of coping with significant adversity often requires substantial effort and
takes many different forms. One unique way of responding to adversity (i.e., generativity;
Erikson,1963) involves turning ones’ own recovery outward and helping others who have
experienced similar trauma. Drawing from this theoretical framework and utilizing a mixed
methods approach, the present study interviewed employees of prosocial organizations (n = 12)
and considered how they chose to dedicate their careers to helping others and approached their
career duties, identifying past adverse experiences as a significant influence. Quantitative results
(n = 100) suggested significant relationships between the integration of traumatic experiences
into one’s identity and posttraumatic growth (PTG), generativity and PTG, and generativity and
experience with significant adverse experiences which impact core beliefs. Given these findings,
prosocial organizations serve as a salient context for continued research of the influence of PTG
and generativity on organizational communication.
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Communication
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Communications Studies