Life-threatening illnesses, potentially traumatic events such as cancer and heart attack, significantly challenge individuals' adaptive resources and promotes distress. Effective coping with the suffering and destabilisation of psychological capacities acts as a catalyst for posttraumatic growth, positive changes in many areas of life, being somewhat different in complex illnesses compared to other types of traumatic events, e. g. in enhanced health related activities. Given the high prevalence of these illnesses in adults in the Slovenian context, the study of posttraumatic growth factors and changes as indicators of recovery is important for designing interventions. We explored which domains of posttraumatic growth are perceived by adults that experienced either cancer or heart attack, differences in this regard, and which factors influenced their recovery. In the sampling process, prior to usage of qualitative method of semi-structured interview, the participants filled in a short battery of selection questionnaires. The sample included 14 adults (8 with cancer and 6 with heart attack experience), the data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The results show more qualitative similarities in the perception of posttraumatic growth between the two groups than differences, while cancer group showing slightly greater magnitude and significance of change. Positive changes were observed in the areas of interpersonal relationships, existential domain, attitudes towards self, values, personal functioning, and perceived factors of posttraumatic growth such as role of professional support, perceived social support, cognitive processing and existing personal coping capacities. The findings point to the profound nature of (personal) transformation in the face of a challenging illness with implications for various aspects of functioning and to the complex nature of its determinants, including the importance of psychological treatment. The findings provide a basis for tracking the quality of recovery from physical illnesses and the development of guidelines for holistic support for patients.
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