Stress-related growth: An experimental approach to examine whether stressful events cause perceived growth

In an experimental setting, illness cognition was manipulated to determine whether there is a causal link between stressful life events and stress-related growth (SRG). Participants were 223 undergraduates (85% Caucasian; mean age = 26.00, SD = 9.63) who had the option to receive two extra-credit points or $10 for participation. As part of a cover story, participants completed general health tests (e.g., heart rate). A (fictitious) health test to evaluate thioamine acetylase (TAA) was also administered, which participants were told is related to pancreatic functioning. The experimental group (stress condition) was told they were TAA deficient; the control group (non-stress condition) was told they were not TAA deficient. Results indicated the experimental group experienced significantly more stress and more perceived SRG than did the control group. In addition, more growth was related to better mental and physical health for both groups. Overall, this study validates the notion that stress causes perceived growth and supports the contention that perceived growth is associated with better quality of life. However, whether perceived SRG is an optimistic/defensive response as a result of a sense of evoked stress remains unclear. Clinical and research implications are discussed.