Post-Traumatic Growth: Lessons from Historical Figures on Resilience and Transformation

Abstract

The difficulties that human beings face today range from pandemics to threats to their well-being, such as violence, abuse, and loss. These incidents can leave a profound impact on individuals and their communities. This paper explores Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) in the context of the narratives of Rama, Arjuna, Gautam Buddha, Chandra Gupta Maurya, and Mahatma Gandhi highlighting the roles of social support and self-efficacy. This exciting integration of history with psychology studies PTG through the lives of historical figures. PTG is defined as positive psychological change experienced through tremendous adversity. Story analysis reveals how such figures managed anxiety, stress, or trauma and translated it into deep personal development. The growth of self-efficacy in overcoming obstacles and social support networks are two important themes here. These historical narratives continue to provide timeless lessons in resilience and transformation, offering solutions to the contemporary global challenges. By studying such cases, individuals and communities can learn how to overcome adversity and achieve progress.