Yeung, Nelson C. Y.Nelson C. Y.YeungDr. CHOW Tak Sang, JasonJasonDr. CHOW Tak Sang2019-05-292019-05-292019Health Psychology Open, 2019, vol. 6(1), pp. 1-8.2055-1029http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/5695Open AccessThis study examined the associations between individual differences and posttraumatic growth, and coping strategies as mediators among 454 trauma-exposed American college students. Results showed that relational-interdependent self-construal, optimism, emotional expression, and social support seeking were associated with higher posttraumatic growth. Moreover, social support seeking and emotional expression partially mediated between relational-interdependent self-construal and posttraumatic growth, such that relational-interdependent self-construal was associated with posttraumatic growth through increased support seeking and emotional expression. However, the association between optimism and posttraumatic growth was partially mediated only by increased emotional expression, but not social support seeking. Findings imply that individual differences may facilitate posttraumatic growth through different coping mechanisms.enEmotional ExpressionOptimismPosttraumatic GrowthRelational-Interdependent Self-ConstrualSocial Support SeekingPeer Reviewed Journal Article10.1177/2055102919846596