Abstract
This chapter discusses the promise of new longitudinal methods for collecting psychological and behavioral data to examine the extent to which post-traumatic growth is possible. These methods include weekly in-the-moment self-reports of functioning as individuals go about their everyday lives via mobile health methods, in addition to retrospective self-reports of character. To examine the potential of such methodologies, the chapter uses the example case of whether and to what extent post-traumatic growth should be expected in women who experience breast cancer diagnosis. This research represents a promising way to move in a direction for uncovering post-traumatic growth. Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are potent stressors for the individual. This may be particularly so for younger patients (<40 years) where the disease can be more aggressive, with a higher potential for lost years of life. Yet women differ greatly in their responses to diagnosis and treatment. Some cultivate new relationships, experience psychological growth, and act more prosocially and altruistically. Some evidence suggests that certain types of character growth in response to stressful life events may be associated with better psychological and physiological outcomes after the event is over. However, there are limited prospective longitudinal data to indicate which specific character traits primarily change in response to life challenges and which are most associated with changes in actual behavior. This chapter discusses how the implementation of multiple methods will better allow researchers to characterize the trajectories of character traits and actions following adversity.