As a positive psychologist, my expertise lies in finding ways to thrive across the lifespan. In academia, it is a novel academic endeavor, to research ways in which each of us, in so many different circumstances, might find ways to live a good life. In this prolonged chaos we are experiencing, thriving seems like a luxury, a sentiment I have shared with you before. Yet, research from positive psychology has brought us a more complex understanding of our mind's responses to major stressors.
It is likely that most of you have heard the term 'post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)'. It is, sadly, a psychological response to a major stressful event, such as combat, a serious car accident with life threatening injuries, or being physically attacked. It is life-changing, life-challenging, and can take hold of the person suffering from it, making the everyday norms, like playing with your children or holding down a job very difficult. The science of psychology has found effective ways to diagnose and treat PTSD, so many people suffering have found relief.
Other research has uncovered a new, related but different, concept called post-traumatic growth (PTG). It is also a psychological response to a significant stressor, such as sudden loss of a significant other, unemployment, or divorce. Side note, it is possible that a person who has experienced PTSD can go on to experience PTG.
While PTSD is typically a response one experiences after surviving the major stressor, PTG is a response we can access during AND after struggling with highly challenging life circumstances. So, the good news is, that you and I can access the process of post-traumatic growth. So, what is this PTG?
PTG is described in the research as positive psychological change as a result of the struggle with highly demanding life struggles (Calhoun &Tedeschi, 1999, 2001). The highly demanding struggles typically fall into two categories: taxing the resources (psychological, financial, physical, emotional) available to meet the challenge, and bringing into question the way one sees the world and their place in it.
The former, resources, is probably pretty clear.
Do I have what I need to survive, like a home, food, money, medicine?
Do I have people to connect with or count on, like family, friends, or colleagues?
Do I have the emotional, psychological, physical strength to persevere through this challenge?
The latter, questioning the way I see the world or the way I see myself in the world, can take different forms. Right now, it looks like this for many:
Is there hope that we will get through this crisis?
How can people behave this way?
How can people think this (whatever 'this' is for you) is acceptable?
Is this the country I thought it was?
Are my friends really my friends?
I didn't realize my family members had such different philosophical beliefs!?
Can I do anything to elicit change? Is it too late? Are things too far gone?
Are my ways of thinking wrong, when so many people seem to think differently?
Why can't I get past this? I see people 'moving on with their lives' like this isn't happening, yet I don't think we are 'moving on' as a country or world?
These are some examples of the challenges we are facing today, in our world, right now. They are very real, and very powerful, and very taxing to our resources, both personal and tangible resources. So it is not surprising that many of us might be in the initial stages of this post-traumatic growth experience. Still struggling, still questioning.
The important and vital step in this response to life challenges is the next one. Resolving to think or act differently. This stage is one of transformation.
Admittedly, this is not easy.
For many people, the incredible weight of managing the struggle itself can be overwhelming and lead to psychological or psychiatric disorders or illnesses. I am not an expert in those areas, so if that is where you find yourself, I URGE you to reach out for help from an expert (psychologist, medical doctor, psychiatrist, social worker, therapist).
In this stage of transformation, research has uncovered 5 areas of potential change: greater appreciation for life or changed sense of priorities; more vulnerability in connection with others; heightened perception of personal strength; awareness of new possibilities in life; and spiritual strengthening.
For the person who has lost a loved one, PTG might include a new appreciation for how 'short life is', which results in behaviors that align with this new attitude. Saying 'yes' to new experiences more often, or cherishing and cultivating vulnerability are ways to change behavior to align with this new attitude.
For the person struggling with the state of the world right now, it might be about recognizing there is hope for the future, and planning for it, taking actions toward that hopeful future. So, post-traumatic growth is not only about transforming perspectives or attitudes, but also about changing behaviors, too.
Don't misunderstand me here. I am not saying that we all need to change our attitude or change our behaviors as a result of the incredible challenges we are experiencing right now. To say that suggests or implies that there might be some sort of responsibility for the challenges. That is in NO WAY what I am suggesting, or what this research implies.
Life changing stressors, like the death of a loved one, loss of employment or health, or surviving a pandemic are often times outside of our control. They often times require us to muster massive amounts of resilience to survive the challenges that we face. PTG research simply suggests that for some, for many, facing these sorts of challenges often gives us pause to consider what we might take away from it.
Philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsch coined the phrase "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." I used to think my grandmother came up with that wise phrase, or maybe you thought Kelly Clarkson coined it for her song by a similar title. Regardless, research indicates that many of us search for meaning in our trials, and that seems to be a crucial part of the PTG concept. What can I take away from this struggle? What purpose can I find in it? How can I be better after this is over?
That purpose in the struggle can help us push through the difficulties, and it can help us maintain a sense of hope that we will get past it, and be able to be happy and to thrive again, in the aftermath of the tragedy. That is most certainly true for our current circumstance. We can, and I hope that we will, push through all that we struggle with because of COVID-19 and the civil unrest that our world is currently experiencing. We can, and I hope that we will, all be transformed by these challenges. We will hopefully be more aware of other people's perspectives, empathetic to the struggles others face, more willing to lend a helping hand or ask for one, be more willing to embrace new vulnerabilities, new experiences and new attitudes. I have hope that we can do all these things.
For you, today. I have hope that reading these little blog posts each day contributes to your well-being. I have hope that you are finding help and hope for the struggles you face. You are not alone. We are not alone.
Be well. Stay safe. Take care.
