1. Introduction
ll individuals are in the verge of encountering some kind of traumatic events at any given time. Traumatic event is  sudden, unexpected, and far  greater than an individual’s coping capacity, and can create feelings of helplessness, fear, and confusion against the new life changes. Mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders or psychosomatic symptoms are some of the consequences of facing with traumatic events. However according to recent studies, negative results are not the only consequences of experience of traumatic events and some people may experience growth and development after a sudden change in their life. Tedeschi and Calhon called these phenomena, Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). PTG is defined as positive psychological changes after struggling with a traumatic life event and consists of five aspects: social relationship and developing social networks, new possibilities, pathways and opportunities, strengthening personal power, self-reliance, and changing inner spirituality and appreciation of life. The main purpose of this paper was a thematic synthesis of  qualitative papers about PTG and answering how the proper process of PTG for people experiencing a traumatic event is. 
2. Methods
A thematic synthesis approach was employed to synthesize the results of qualitative studies about PTG. From 2007 to April 2018, there were 50 studies close to the current research question and 18 papers met the inclusion criteria. Based on Thomas and Harden’s thematic synthesis approach there are three stages in synthesizing qualitative papers including free encoding of preliminary studies’ findings, organizing free quotes into descriptive themes, and developing analytical topics using descriptive themes, and all 18 studies were analyzed based on these inductive approach. 
3. Results
 Three main themes were drawn  from synthesizing qualitative paper findings including reaction to trauma, the requirements to begin the PTG, and the emergence of post-traumatic growth. Reaction to trauma consists of primary emotions. According to the data, primary emotions refer to a set of challenging emotions such as disappointment and hopelessness, guilt, regret, anger, fear, and shame. At the first exposure to trauma, people might experience the challenging emotions that can cause negative feelings leading to social exclusion, rumination, and an inclination to ending their lives. The second theme is the requirements to begin the PTG including time and reality comprehension categories. Understanding the reality of trauma is a breakthrough point for growth after traumatic events, and includes an ability to recognize trauma-related symptoms and differentiation of those symptoms from the self. The emergence of post-traumatic growth, another major theme, has four categories including personal development or strengthening personal power and modifying schema, social development including enhancement of social skills, restarting social activities, and altruism. Psychological development including acceptance of suffering, emotional maturity, appreciation of life , reappraisal and prioritization of values, goal setting, lifestyle improvement and spirituality development include discovering a meaning for life and spiritual strategies.
4. Discussion 
Individuals facing traumatic events such as physical and life changing illnesses, bereavement or sexual abuse may experience post-traumatic growth after three stages including reaction to trauma, the requirements for the beginning of the PTG, and some developments (personal, social, psychological and spiritual) as a growth: According to the current study findings, it can be concluded that people show different emotions after exposure to traumatic events and after some time with processing the events they experience growth in different aspects of their lives.  
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
There are no ethical considerations to be noted here.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Authors contributions
Conceptualism, concepts, validation, Resources, writing, tracking, editing, and finalizing: All Authors; Research: Zahra Asgari. 
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interests.
 

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