Dr. Taku’s Posttraumatic Growth Lab

Distress

Prayer/Waiting Talking/Social Support

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG): Positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life circumstances.

Kellie is interested in analyzing PTG in high school students after a relationship strain.

Sharell is interested in questioning high school students’ academic aspirations after a traumatic occurrence.

Insia is interested in the cross-cultural examination of PTG in illness survivors and hopes to narrow her study specifically to stroke patients.

As a recent graduate of the Psychology program at Oakland University, Valarie is currently working on a manuscript with Dr. Taku, examining PTG of bereaved OU students.

Melissa’s prior research involved analyzing the role of religion on PTG. Her long-term goals involve finding a bridge between occupational safety and PTG.

Current Research Assistants As one of the pioneering researchers

in the field of PTG, Dr. Taku’s present interest involves the cross-cultural examination of PTG in high school students. Her future goal is to analyze PTG in individuals who have inflicted pain onto others.

Recent Publications:• Taku, K., Kilmer, R. P., Cann, A., Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2012). Exploring posttraumatic growth in Japanese youth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, • Research, Practice, and Policy, 4, 411-419. Taku, K. (2011). Commonly-defined and individually- defined posttraumatic growth in the U.S. and Japan. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 188-193.

Courses at Oakland University:• PSY 251 – Statistics and Research Design• PSY 362 – Statistical Analysis on Computers• PSY 445 – Seminar in Individual Differences & Personality

A l u m n i :Brent Yanos : Masters of Clinical Psychology - Eastern Michigan UniversityEvan Theys: PhD of Industrial/Organizational Psychology Louisiana Technological UniversityLauren Rogers: Masters of Social Work – Wayne State UniversitySean P. Callan: PhD of Behavioral and Cognitive NeuroscienceWayne State University

V. Pierson

I. Thomas

S. Elam M. Sawa

Dr. Kanako Taku

We Want You!Interested in working with us?! Check out our website:

http://kanakotaku.wordpress.com/

Find us on The PTG Lab @ Oakland University

mssawa@oakland.edu

vjpierso@oakland.edu klmcguir@oakland.edu

elamsg@hotmail.com

K. McGuire Insia.thomas@gmail.com

I can’t stop thinking about it..

What am I

supposed to

do now?

New Possibilities

Appreciation of Life

Realization ofPersonal Strength

taku@oakland.edu