Resilience and posttraumatic growth: empirical evidence and clinical applications from a Christian perspective

The research and psychological literature on resilience (eg. Meichenbaum, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012; see also Alvord, Zucker, & Grados, 2011; Glicken, 2006; Graham, 2013; Gonzales, 2012; Neenan, 2009; Reich, Zautra & Hall, 2011; South wick & Charney, 2012) and posttraumatic growth (e.g., see Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2013; Joseph, 2011; see also Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006; Helgeson, Reynolds, & Tomich, 2006; Joseph & Linley, 2006, 2008; Park, 2010; Park & Hegelson, 2006; Tedeschi, Park, & Calhoun, 1998; Weiss & Berger, 2010) has mushroomed in the last decade or so. Resilience can be defined as "the capacity to adapt successfully in the presence of risk and adversity" (Meichenbaum, 2012, p. 3). It is a broad term that is multidimensional and includes the ability to "confront and handle stressful life events; grow and thrive in the face of challenges and adversities; bounce back and beat the odds; recover from or adjust to misfortune or change; endure traumatic events; maintain a healthy outcome" (Meichenbaum, 2012, p. 3). Posttraumatic growth is a related term first coined by Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun, to refer to positive changes that people report following experiences of adversity and trauma, leading eventually to more well-being: it has also been called " benefit-finding, growth following adversity, personal transformation, stress-related growth, and thriving' (Joseph, 2011, p. 14). This article will briefly review the literature on resilience and posttraumatic growth, and cover research into practice, with a Christian perspective provided.Empirical Evidence for Resilience and Posttraumatic GrowthMeichenbaum (2012) has recently reviewed much of the empirical evidence and research literature available on resilience and posttraumatic growth, and it will now be briefly summarized. He first points out that a traumatic event is likely to be experienced by around 20% of the North American population in any one year. About 60% of the population in their lifetime will go through traumatic experiences such as natural disasters, sickness, losses, accidents, and events that victimize them (e.g., rape, sexual abuse, terrorist attacks). Although such traumatic events do affect people who experience them, it is remarkable that research studies show that about 70% of them recover with resilience and only up to 30% of them evidence harmful effects, including developing posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD and other related problems such as depression, anxiety, and readjustment difficulties. Resilience is therefore more commonplace than perhaps initially expected. Many people have the capacity and coping skills needed to not just go through traumatic events and suffering, but also to grow through them and end up with positive changes and greater well-being and strength. However, resilience with positive emotions and negative emotions often occur together in traumatic experiences or major life crises. Resilience eventually leads to posttraumatic growth or positive change that emerges (typically many months later) after going through significant life crises or trauma.It usually takes some time for resilience and posttraumatic growth to occur. There are also various pathways to resilience and the following factors influence how effectively people deal with trauma and adversities in their lives (see Meichenbaum, 2012, p. 6):1. The availability of social relationships as perceived by them, and their ability to avail themselves of social supports.2. The extent of perceived personal control and use of energies and time on activities and circumstances in which they have some effect.3. The extent to which they can have positive emotions and control negative affect. Those who daily experience a 3 to 1 ratio of positive emotions to negative emotions tend to be resilient.4. The ability to function with cognitive flexibility, using problem-solving and acceptance skills, depending on the situation. …