Stress, Trauma, and Posttraumatic Growth

Roni Berger, PhD, LCSW, is professor of social work at Adelphi University School of Social Work, USA.

"Berger's book is a significant contribution to the vital and expanding field of stress and trauma care and is a must read for social workers, psychologists, crisis counselors, and other human-service professionals. Dr. Berger has researched and reported on every area of crisis care, looking at the needs of individuals, groups, families, and communities. Especially valuable is her content on understanding stress and trauma from a developmental and cultural lens. There is a richness and thoughtfulness to her writing and her sensitivity to the work is heartfelt. Think of this book as a necessary addition to a practitioner's knowledge base for work within the field of trauma." Joan Beder, DSW, professor in the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University"In this unique book on traumatic stress, Roni Berger presents comprehensive and integrative perspectives of all aspects of stress and trauma. Remarkable in its diversity, this excellent book includes theoretical and clinical perspectives and addresses negative and positive effects of stress and trauma, which are analyzed through the different lenses of micro, mezzo, and macro systems. Roni Berger makes an invaluable contribution to the field, and this book is highly recommended for researchers, clinicians, and students." Michal Shamai, PhD, associate professor in the school of social work at the University of Haifa"Stress, Trauma, and Posttraumatic Growth is an essential text for clinicians who treat trauma. It provides a comprehensive and masterful discussion of theory and intervention. The author locates her analysis in the complex intersection of culture and life stressors, making this book timely and applicable to trauma treatment throughout the life cycle." Jessica Rosenberg, PhD, LCSW, associate professor of social work at Long Island University–Brooklyn

• Introduction. I. Mapping the Arena 1. Concepts and Definitions 2. Classification of Stressful Events 3: Leading Theories II. Pathogenic and Salutogenic Outcomes of Exposure to Stress in Individuals, Families and Communities 4. Effects of Stress on Individuals 5. Effects of Stress on Couples and Families 6. Effects of Stress on Communities III. Understanding Stress and Trauma From Developmental and Cultural Perspectives 7. Developmental Perspectives: Stress, Trauma and PTG across the Life Cycle 8. Cultural Aspects IV. Addresing the Outcomes of Stress and Traumatic Exposure 9. Helping Individuals Affected by Highly Stressful Events 10. Interventions with Couples and Families 11. Community Interventions References