The “How-to” on moving forward: Posttraumatic Growth from 2020
This past year and some was a traumatic time for many of us.
Perhaps taking on Posttraumatic Growth as a conscious piece of your coping process in the next few days can help, as it has helped me.
Although the term is relatively new, the idea that “great good can come from great suffering” is older than can be traced. I’m offering Posttraumatic Growth because of its effectiveness in hospitals that have already implemented this process as a strategy that enables more than just coping with all the stressors and challenges of the previous year. Since time will not stop it’s forward motion, and changing what has already transpired is not an option, it’s the right time to make the most of the now to meet tomorrow as stronger individuals and as a more resilient collective of creators.
In a 2004 article, Tedeschi and Calhoun identified that the results of Posttraumatic Growth are manifested in a variety of ways. These can include:
an increased appreciation for life in general,
more meaningful interpersonal relationships,
an increased sense of personal strength,
changed priorities,
and a richer existential and spiritual life.
There is much to learn from their continued research into this topic and their Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. This process requires time and sequentially follows after grief, so I write this as we begin this new year of 2021 with this intent: that as we transition away from the negative shroud of last year, anyone reading this can opt towards a positive mindset through the process of Posttraumatic Growth. It is about creating a new normal, not fighting tooth and nail to return to a past that no longer exists. The only way to grow is forward. Please read on to understand this process of Posttraumatic Growth and how it can benefit you and your endeavors.
What is Posttraumatic Growth?
It is a reflective process. It is not an immediate response to traumatic events. It is most often found at an individual level, but is completely possible and encouraged for entire organizations in the process of overcoming traumatic events (think natural disasters, terrorist attacks, medical crises, bereavement, etc.)
Research suggests that leaders should not pressure individuals to seek growth shortly after the trauma or it could inadvertently increase distress. It is not helpful for leaders to approach someone suffering through a period of trauma and tell them to “suck it up and grow from this.” In fact, this will add much more stress to an already tough situation. Similarly, I suggest that if you would not personally treat another with such apathy, treat yourself with the same kindness and humility to admit, “I am going through something that is painful for anyone and I am not alone in this suffering.”
How can I use the process of Posttraumatic Growth for self-improvement?
After meeting basic needs and coming to terms with the circumstance, the following steps may help catalyze the posttraumatic growth process:
First, start with a renewed sense of importance in your relationships and combine with the realization of the self-assurance to make future choices with assertiveness.
When push comes to shove, you know who would truly stand by your side and who will flee at first sign of a sinking ship. Think of the people that helped you survive 2020 and provide the importance due to the bonds that connect you to these individuals. Value those relationships through reciprocating this loyalty and thoughtfulness. You are a now a survivor of a historic year. Through weeks of isolating, odds are that you might’ve found some (or a lot) of time for self-reflection. Let this self-assurance drive a transformed sense of assertiveness that you can take on difficult things and see them through.
Use deliberate reflection to recall the traumatic experiences and practice adaptive coping.
After experiencing traumatic events, it is helpful and encouraged to recall the traumatic event as one is ready to do so. Coping with this posttraumatic stress creates two sides of the same coin. One is side is well-known as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the involuntary, intrusive, and unresolved recollections of the trauma. The other side of the coin contrasts by the individual choosing deliberate reflection of the traumatic event to help facilitate Posttraumatic Growth. Adaptive coping does not withdraw but rather engages with the experience and with others. Adaptive coping is optimistic, flexible, social, action-oriented, and focused on problem-solving. This is where those relationships and self assurance will come in so very handy. It is encouraged to get together as you most enjoy with your best people and discuss coping with the trauma openly and without judgement.
Lastly, assert your interpretive control with the purpose of positive reinterpretation and positive framing.
Indulge in the analogy that your life is a feature film and you are the director of the story that only you will watch. Instead of creative control, see the ways in which you form your story as interpretive control. Now exercise your control over your own narrative and get to making one you’d want to watch yourself. Move forward with your goals despite the trauma that is behind us. Make use of your interpretive director’s toolbox, too. Use positive reinterpretation to give a new light to the memory of 2020 and how much more prepared you are to roll with the unexpected punches the future might throw. Don’t forget to also use positive reframing as you reinterpret the purpose of the tough events you’re overcoming into worthwhile lessons learned through trial by fire. Your director’s cut might turn out to be a big hit! (Especially if you’re the only critic.)
Now let’s view this process in a less personal perspective to solidify understanding. Hospital organizations are relying on this method for the purpose collective adaptive coping due to the arduous conditions endured by frontline healthcare professionals throughout the ongoing pandemic. When organizations are affected by adversity, they often use crisis management with the goal of restoring the system back to its normal level of functioning. In contrast, Organizational Posttraumatic Growth refers to a process by which organizations are not only restored, but achieve a higher level of functioning as a result of addressing and learning from a traumatic event. The key is acknowledging that the crisis most definitely exists and reacting accordingly, and then taking on the added due diligence of incorporating the lessons learned from this pandemic. These lessons that hold a capacity to help an organization or individual react more skillfully to, or even altogether prevent, such elevated levels of stress and uncertainty encapsulate the core essence of Posttraumatic Growth.
Call to Action
A 2019 study on Posttraumatic Growth at work found that this process is actually a common result of traumatic events, so this might already be a process you’re familiar with. Now you have a name to go with the experience. Take some time to be aware and consciously prepare yourself to be a more resilient part of whatever community you are a part of. And if you feel that you are not part of such a community, perhaps start by changing that.
Future you will thank you for what you do now.
For those of us fortunate enough to have survived this global pandemic, it seems that we’re hoping this next year will bring something different. That is, if you even have any of this ‘hope’ left. The grim conditions of global illness that has distanced us from each other; added to the unjust violence based on nothing more than mere racial prejudice; and compounded by rampant unemployment that continues to bring uncertainty of survival for some families, has all created immense overall shock of such sudden change to fairly raise the question, “How do we move forward from this?” The answer is found within the very question: together.
“We” can move forward through reflection, adaptive coping, and pursuit of heightened creativity with the knowledge that we are not alone in our suffering, but united by our collective experience.
It’s ok not to have everything planned out. Free yourself to just do more.
Let that future start now. Let’s ensure that 2020 is not minimized. Let’s take the pain, disappointment, and grief of this passing year to nurture renewed purpose to our lives. Whatever that means to each of us. Even if you’re not sure what that purpose is just yet, do not let fear keep you from trying something you’ve always wanted to do differently in your life. If your idea has even the most remote ability to create more joy and opportunity for yourself and others, go for it.
Works Cited
Olson K, Shanafelt T, Southwick S. Pandemic-Driven Posttraumatic Growth for Organizations and Individuals. JAMA. 2020;324(18):1829–1830. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.20275
Richard G. Tedeschi & Lawrence G. Calhoun (2004) TARGET ARTICLE: “Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence”, Psychological Inquiry, 15:1, 1–18, DOI: 10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
