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Posttraumatic Growth in Youth Survivors of a Disaster: An Arts-Based Research Project

Abstract Evidence that posttraumatic growth is a potential outcome in the process of recovery from trauma and natural disaster highlights the importance of social environmental factors that encourage a growth response in survivors. This art-based research project followed up on a group of youth survivors (N = 11) of the 2007 earthquake in the Ica region of Peru who had been active helpers in a 9-month art therapy intervention. The current project, taking place 3 years after the earthquake, explored how the youth perceived their posttraumatic growth and employed the arts in attributing meaning to their traumatic experiences. Participants had developed a stronger sense of life purpose, a heightened sense of perspective, and the freedom to move forward. The role of the arts in bringing comfort and joy to others, and affirming survival, was identified.