An investigation into posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among trauma reporting Australian journalists

Research into the impact of psychological trauma exposure such as violence and disasters on Australian journalists and other media professionals. The research used both statistical methods and interviews to examine posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth outcomes. The thesis provides empirical support that posttraumatic growth is present amongst trauma-reporting journalists as a general group, and more specifically in camera operators, war reporters, and freelance journalists. The results point to the importance of understanding that posttraumatic experiences are complex and multifaceted, and can include rich life changes of growth post trauma, as well as negative posttraumatic stress impacts.