This study aimed to assess whether the adult survivors of the Zamboanga siege in 2013 had developed posttraumatic growth or posttraumatic decline, or both, three years after the traumatic event. This was done by (1) determining the presence of posttraumatic growth and/or decline among the population; (2) assessing the five factors/domains to which posttraumatic growth and decline could be experienced; identifying the correlation of (3) age and (4) sex with the reported growth and decline. The study is an analytical cross-sectional design employing a translated, interview-administered, 42-item, 6-point Likert scale called Posttraumatic Growth and Decline Inventory (PTGDI), which adapted the original 21-item Likert scale Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Four hundred eighty-nine (489) respondents were included in this study, under the age bracket of 19-59 years old, randomly selected from the five selected transitory sites in the city. Data gathered were treated through frequencies and analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation. Findings showed more reports on posttraumatic growth (95.3%) than posttraumatic decline (3.5). These reports showed a significant difference of change in their life prior to the trauma (p=0.000). Among the five domains of posttraumatic growth and decline, the respondents reported high levels of growth in their relationship with others ( score =7.28, SD= 6.91), while their spiritual domains fell behind ( score =3.87, SD= 3.40). Yet, the respondents still reported growth relatively equal on all the domains as evidenced by ratings above the value of ‘no change’ (rating of 1). This could help us realize that the survivors of the siege have slowly thrived in their struggles in different aspects in their lives after the traumatic experience. Contrary to other studies, age was also found to be not associated with the reported levels of posttraumatic growth (r = -0.43) and posttraumatic decline (r = 0.02). Moreover, there was no association between sex and posttraumatic growth and decline reported (r = 0.095).

Keyword: Posttraumatic growth and decline Adult survivors of the Zamboanga siege