Abstract

OCHOA, Cristian; CASTEJON, Vanessa; SUMALLA, Enric C  and  BLANCO, Ignacio. Posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors and their significant others: vicarious or secondary growth?. Ter Psicol [online]. 2013, vol.31, n.1, pp.81-92. ISSN 0718-4808.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-48082013000100008.

Severe diseases such as cancer although generate high stress and emotional distress in survivors and their significant others, can also be a stimulus to promote posttraumatic growth. The mechanisms of this post-traumatic growth (vicarious vs secondary) in significant others have not been studied. This review examines the evidence and relationship between posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors and their significant others, mainly in their partners and parents, regarding these vicarious or secondary growth transmission mechanisms. We conclude that, in general, posttraumatic growth in significant others is a vicarious experience closely linked to the cancer survivor's growth. However, being a woman, mother or suffer an advanced cancer facilitate secondary posttraumatic growth processes insignificant others.

Keywords : Vicarious post-traumatic growth; Secondary post-traumatic growth; Significant others; Partners; Parents.