%0 Journal Article %A Mike Slade %A Stefan Rennick-Egglestone %A Laura Blackie %A Joy Llewellyn-Beardsley %A Donna Franklin %A Ada Hui %A Graham Thornicroft %A Rose McGranahan %A Kristian Pollock %A Stefan Priebe %A Amy Ramsay %A David Roe %A Emilia Deakin %T Post-traumatic growth in mental health recovery: qualitative study of narratives %D 2019 %R 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029342 %J BMJ Open %P e029342 %V 9 %N 6 %X Objectives Post-traumatic growth, defined as positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with challenging life circumstances, is under-researched in people with mental health problems. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for post-traumatic growth in the context of recovery for people with psychosis and other severe mental health problems.Design Qualitative thematic analysis of cross-sectional semi-structured interviews about personal experiences of mental health recovery.Setting England.Participants Participants were adults aged over 18 and: (1) living with psychosis and not using mental health services (n=21); (2) using mental health services and from black and minority ethnic communities (n=21); (3) underserved, operationalised as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community or complex needs or rural community (n=19); or (4) employed in peer roles using their lived experience with others (n=16). The 77 participants comprised 42 (55%) female and 44 (57%) white British.Results Components of post-traumatic growth were present in 64 (83%) of recovery narratives. Six superordinate categories were identified, consistent with a view that post-traumatic growth involves learning about oneself (self-discovery) leading to a new sense of who one is (sense of self) and appreciation of life (life perspective). Observable positively valued changes comprise a greater focus on self-management (well-being) and more importance being attached to relationships (relationships) and spiritual or religious engagement (spirituality). Categories are non-ordered and individuals may start from any point in this process.Conclusions Post-traumatic growth is often part of mental health recovery. Changes are compatible with research about growth following trauma, but with more emphasis on self-discovery, integration of illness-related experiences and active self-management of well-being. Trauma-related growth may be a preferable term for participants who identify as having experienced trauma. Trauma-informed mental healthcare could use the six identified categories as a basis for new approaches to supporting recovery.Trial registration number ISRCTN11152837 %U https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/6/e029342.full.pdf