Background Traumatically injured patients experience psychopathological and positive changes after the traumatic injury. Whether positive changes are related to better psychological health is an intriguing question that has emerged in the literature. Methods One hundred thirty‐two participants completed the study. Demographic and injury data and degree of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were collected at baseline (within 3 months after injury). PTG, PTSD, depression, satisfaction with life, and psychological well‐being measures were collected at a 1‐year follow‐up. Results PTG was positively associated with PTSD in the early stage of traumatic injury but was unrelated with PTSD at the 1‐year follow‐up. PTG at different time points significantly predicted psychological health outcomes. Delayed PTSD rather than early PTSD was the significant predictor of psychological health outcomes. Conclusions The results support the adjustment value of PTG, and health‐care providers should address both positive and psychopathological changes to promote the recovery of traumatically injured patients.