Spirituality and Transcendent Meaning Making: Possibilities for Enhancing Posttraumatic Growth Jo-Ann Vis Heather Marie Boynton ABSTRACT. Traditionally, in the field of trauma, the emphasis has been on loss and suffering rather than growth and possibility. While the experience of loss and suffering is true for many trauma survivors, especially during the initial phase of trauma exposure, recent research has demonstrated that sole concentration on these constructs is ineffective in promoting growth and understanding. This article focuses on the benefits of attention to the spiritual aspect in posttraumatic growth and transcendent meaning making. A critical component in assisting individuals to move beyond the immediate impact of trauma is the facilitation of spiritual awareness and accessing spiritual resources. The inclusion of spirituality in the post-trauma processes can provide alternatives for positive reconstruction of worldview, coping, and transcendent meaning making. KEYWORDS. Trauma, spirituality, transcendence, meaning making, posttraumatic growth, positive coping Journal of Religion & Spirituality In Social Work: Social Thought, Vol. 27(1-2) 2008 Available online at http://jrssw.haworthpress.com # 2008 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved. doi: 10.1080/15426430802113814 69 Dr. Jo-Ann Vis is Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (E-mail: jvis@ lakeheadu.ca). Heather Marie Boynton is a MSW candidate at the School of Social Work, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (E-mail: harrisonloghomes@tbaytel.net).