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challenges
Viewpoint
Catalyst Twenty-Twenty: Post-Traumatic Growth at Scales of
Person, Place and Planet
Alan C. Logan 1, Susan H. Berman 1,2, Richard B. Scott 1,2, Brian M. Berman 1,2,3 and Susan L. Prescott 1,2,4,*
Citation: Logan, A.C.; Berman, S.H.;
Scott, R.B.; Berman, B.M.; Prescott,
S.L. Catalyst Twenty-Twenty:
Post-Traumatic Growth at Scales of
Person, Place and Planet. Challenges
2021,12, 9. https://doi.org/
10.3390/challe12010009
Academic Editor: Palmiro Poltronieri
Received: 12 February 2021
Accepted: 9 March 2021
Published: 13 March 2021
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1inVIVO Planetary Health, the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
alanxlogan@gmail.com (A.C.L.); sberman@tiih.org (S.H.B.); rscott@tiih.org (R.B.S.);
bberman@tiih.org (B.M.B.)
2The Institute for Integrative Health, Baltimore, 1407 Fleet St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
3Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland
School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
4The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital,
15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
*Correspondence: Susan.Prescott@telethonkids.org.au
Abstract:
Planetary health is a broad multidisciplinary effort that attempts to address what has
been described as “Anthropocene Syndrome”—the wicked, interrelated challenges of our time.
These include, but are not limited to, grotesque biodiversity losses, climate change, environmental
degradation, resource depletion, the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health
inequalities, social injustices, erosion of wisdom and civility, together with the many structural
underpinnings of these grand challenges. The ultimate aim of planetary health is flourishing along
every link in the person, place and planet continuum. The events of “2020” have illuminated the
consequences of “mass trauma” and how sub-threshold anxiety and/or depressive symptoms erase
the rigid lines between mental “health” and mental “disorders”, and unmasked the systemic forms of
injustice, discrimination, and oppression that have too often escaped discourse. Here, we query the
ways in which post-traumatic growth research might inform the larger planetary health community,
especially in the context of a global pandemic, broadening socioeconomic inequalities, a worsening
climate crisis, and the rise of political authoritarianism. The available research would suggest that
“2020” fulfills the trauma criteria of having a “seismic impact on the assumptive world”, and as
such, provides fertile ground for post-traumatic growth. Among the many potential positive changes
that might occur in response to trauma, we focus on the value of new awareness, perspective and
greater wisdom.
Keywords:
post-traumatic growth; planetary health; wisdom; self-distancing; awareness; mindful-
ness; COVID-19; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); biodiversity losses; climate change; environ-
mental degradation; flourishing; positive contagion; mental health
1. Introduction
“With my barn burned down, nothing obstructs my view of the moon overhead” Mizuta
Masahide, Japanese poet (1657–1723).
The quote above is oft-used in the growing body of literature within the field of
post-traumatic growth—despite his storehouse being destroyed by fire, Masahide was
able to see things from a new perspective, and identify at least one source of awe and
wonder that was previously concealed from view. Masahide’s ability to process a traumatic
event, in a way that might ultimately (over time) lead to positive change, is at the heart
of contemporary post-traumatic growth research. In particular, post-traumatic growth is
characterized perceived positive change in the areas of personal strength, appreciation of
life, interpersonal functioning, spiritual change, and greater awareness of new possibilities
in life.
Challenges 2021,12, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010009 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/challenges
Challenges 2021,12, 9 2 of 14
Here, in our Viewpoint paper, we query the ways in which post-traumatic growth
research might inform the larger planetary health community, especially in the context
of a global pandemic, broadening socioeconomic inequalities, a worsening climate crisis,
and the rise of political authoritarianism. The events of “2020” have erased the rigid
lines between mental health and mental disorder, illuminating the consequences of sub-
threshold (anxiety and/or depressive) symptoms, “mass trauma” and systemic forms
of injustice, discrimination, and oppression that have too often escaped discourse [
1
–
3
].
While experts warn that a mental health crisis is looming ahead—and that message should
be taken seriously [
4
]—there are also signs that the seismic events of 2020 are acting as
a catalyst, increasing awareness of an unhealthy status quo. The COVID-19 crisis has
unmasked long-standing structural disadvantage and various barriers to health that were
previously “hidden” in plain sight [5].
At the outset, we underscore that, in the medical and scientific literature, “2020”
has become shorthand for “a year to remember” [
6
–
10
] (Figure 1). Obviously, the direct
pathological threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is central to the 2020 moniker, but it was
also a year that witnessed numerous (oft-related) seismic events—global protests against
racial injustice [
11
], crisis-level spread of dis/misinformation [
12
], the rise of political
authoritarianism [
13
], unprecedented wildfires in Australia [
14
], further reports that US life
expectancy is declining (after decades of gain) [
15
,
16
], and massive wealth accumulation
among a sliver of the global population [
17
] while precariousness and food and housing
insecurity increased [
18
–
20
]. At the individual level, seismic events can promote growth.
It is our contention that the mass trauma associated with 2020 might also allow for large
scale post-traumatic growth, a re-appraisal of values, awareness of new possibilities, and
increased wisdom (Figure 2)—to “see the Moon overhead” and rebuild a better, more
sustainable barn.
Challenges 2021, 12, x 2 of 14
Here, in our Viewpoint paper, we query the ways in which post-traumatic growth
research might inform the larger planetary health community, especially in the context of
a global pandemic, broadening socioeconomic inequalities, a worsening climate crisis,
and the rise of political authoritarianism. The events of “2020” have erased the rigid lines
between mental health and mental disorder, illuminating the consequences of sub-thresh-
old (anxiety and/or depressive) symptoms, “mass trauma” and systemic forms of injus-
tice, discrimination, and oppression that have too often escaped discourse [1–3]. While
experts warn that a mental health crisis is looming ahead—and that message should be
taken seriously [4]—there are also signs that the seismic events of 2020 are acting as a
catalyst, increasing awareness of an unhealthy status quo. The COVID-19 crisis has un-
masked long-standing structural disadvantage and various barriers to health that were
previously “hidden” in plain sight [5].
At the outset, we underscore that, in the medical and scientific literature, “2020” has
become shorthand for “a year to remember” [6–10] (Figure 1). Obviously, the direct patho-
logical threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is central to the 2020 moniker, but it was also a year
that witnessed numerous (oft-related) seismic events—global protests against racial injus-
tice [11], crisis-level spread of dis/misinformation [12], the rise of political authoritarian-
ism [13], unprecedented wildfires in Australia [14], further reports that US life expectancy
is declining (after decades of gain) [15,16], and massive wealth accumulation among a
sliver of the global population [17] while precariousness and food and housing insecurity
increased [18–20]. At the individual level, seismic events can promote growth. It is our
contention that the mass trauma associated with 2020 might also allow for large scale post-
traumatic growth, a re-appraisal of values, awareness of new possibilities, and increased
wisdom (Figure 2)—to “see the Moon overhead” and rebuild a better, more sustainable barn.
Figure 1. A year to remember: 2020 has been a year of numerous seismic events, spanning from the COVID-19 pandemic,
global protests against racial injustice, crisis-level spread of dis/misinformation, the rise of political authoritarianism, cat-
astrophic environmental events, growing disparities in health and life expectancy, and massive wealth accumulation
among the privileged as food and housing insecurity increased further among the disadvantaged. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
Figure 1.
A year to remember: 2020 has been a year of numerous seismic events, spanning from the COVID-19 pandemic,
global protests against racial injustice, crisis-level spread of dis/misinformation, the rise of political authoritarianism,
catastrophic environmental events, growing disparities in health and life expectancy, and massive wealth accumulation
among the privileged as food and housing insecurity increased further among the disadvantaged. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
Challenges 2021,12, 9 3 of 14
Challenges 2021, 12, x 3 of 14
Figure 2. Post Traumatic Growth: The well-recognized positive responses to trauma range from new awareness, wisdom,
meaning, purpose and greater appreciation of life. The aftermath of the “mass trauma” associated with 2020, may therefore
allow opportunities for large scale post-traumatic growth, a re-appraisal of values, higher levels of environmental and
social concern, awareness of new possibilities, and greater shared wisdom. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
2. Post-Traumatic Growth
“The very greatest things—great thoughts, discoveries, inventions—have generally been nur-
tured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow...if there were nothing to struggle for, there would
be nothing to be achieved” Editors of The Friend magazine, 1866 [21].
Throughout history and across cultures, humans have held onto the idea that trauma
and adversity can lead to positive change. In particular, this notion has been embedded
in religious and philosophical writings, as well as ancient mythology. It was not until the
1990s, with the validation of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory [22], that a cohesive
area of psychological study began to examine the concept of post-traumatic growth. In
line with the word “struggle” in the quote above, the term post-traumatic growth refers
to “positive psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly chal-
lenging life circumstances” [23].
Post-traumatic growth (henceforth, PTG) research does not minimize the potentially
devastating and far-reaching negative effects of trauma—volumes of research demon-
strate the long-term health consequences of acute and chronic trauma exposure [24–27].
Indeed, the available research shows that PTG coexists with ongoing distress [28], and
although there is evidence of benefit to health and wellbeing (discussed below) [29], PTG
is not a curative of trauma symptoms. Rather, PTG research examines the ways in which
traumatic events become a catalyst for growth, learning and re-evaluation of worldviews.
PTG research extends beyond catastrophic life events (e.g., combat experiences, violent
assault, direct witness to horrifying events) that have been at the historical core of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. In the context of PTG research, the words
trauma, major crisis, and highly stressful events are used interchangeably, with the com-
mon thread being an event(s) acting as a major challenge to individuals—especially if it
challenges the way in which they understood/understand the world and their place in it [23].
As such, and because traumatic events often challenge communities and vast populations,
Figure 2.
Post Traumatic Growth: The well-recognized positive responses to trauma range from new awareness, wisdom,
meaning, purpose and greater appreciation of life. The aftermath of the “mass trauma” associated with 2020, may therefore
allow opportunities for large scale post-traumatic growth, a re-appraisal of values, higher levels of environmental and social
concern, awareness of new possibilities, and greater shared wisdom. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
2. Post-Traumatic Growth
“The very greatest things—great thoughts, discoveries, inventions—have generally been
nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow...if there were nothing to struggle
for, there would be nothing to be achieved” Editors of The Friend magazine, 1866 [
21
].
Throughout history and across cultures, humans have held onto the idea that trauma
and adversity can lead to positive change. In particular, this notion has been embedded
in religious and philosophical writings, as well as ancient mythology. It was not until the
1990s, with the validation of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory [
22
], that a cohesive area
of psychological study began to examine the concept of post-traumatic growth. In line with
the word “struggle” in the quote above, the term post-traumatic growth refers to “positive
psychological change experienced as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life
circumstances” [23].
Post-traumatic growth (henceforth, PTG) research does not minimize the potentially
devastating and far-reaching negative effects of trauma—volumes of research demonstrate
the long-term health consequences of acute and chronic trauma exposure [
24
–
27
]. Indeed,
the available research shows that PTG coexists with ongoing distress [
28
], and although
there is evidence of benefit to health and wellbeing (discussed below) [
29
], PTG is not a
curative of trauma symptoms. Rather, PTG research examines the ways in which traumatic
events become a catalyst for growth, learning and re-evaluation of worldviews. PTG
research extends beyond catastrophic life events (e.g., combat experiences, violent assault,
direct witness to horrifying events) that have been at the historical core of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) research. In the context of PTG research, the words trauma, major
crisis, and highly stressful events are used interchangeably, with the common thread being
an event(s) acting as a major challenge to individuals—especially if it challenges the way
in which they understood/understand the world and their place in it [
23
]. As such, and
Challenges 2021,12, 9 4 of 14
because traumatic events often challenge communities and vast populations, PTG research
has broad societal implications. In the context of PTG, trauma is certainly a subjective
term, one that may or may not be associated with the marked physiological changes that
are often noted in PTSD; what constitutes ‘traumatic’ in PTG discourse can be a product
of culture and may change over time, but it best described by what it is not—the ‘daily
hassles’ and minor stressors that, although not without negative health consequences, are
a common feature of modern life [30].
While PTG discourse has oft-overlapped with the concept of resiliency (and “hardi-
ness”), optimism and pre-trauma assets/abilities to withstand trauma, it is important to
note that PTG research attempts to understand the “processes people use as they struggle
with the aftermath of trauma to derive meaning, feel wiser, and face uncertain futures with
more confidence” [
22
] (Figure 3). Hence, PTG research emphasizes both the processes and
the outcomes associated with growth. At the same time, PTG cannot be uncoupled from
personality features, available resources, and the larger cultural narratives that surround
an individual or community over time [
31
,
32
]. For example, higher social support, spir-
ituality, optimism, active coping strategies, and purpose in life may predict subsequent
PTG over time [
33
–
35
]. Since optimism and social support networks can be assets of
affluence [
36
–
39
], PTG cannot be uncoupled from complex “exposome” discussions—that
is, the total accumulated environmental exposures (both detrimental and beneficial) that
help us understand the response of humans to the total environment over time [40].
Challenges 2021, 12, x 4 of 14
PTG research has broad societal implications. In the context of PTG, trauma is certainly a
subjective term, one that may or may not be associated with the marked physiological
changes that are often noted in PTSD; what constitutes ‘traumatic’ in PTG discourse can
be a product of culture and may change over time, but it best described by what it is not—
the ‘daily hassles’ and minor stressors that, although not without negative health conse-
quences, are a common feature of modern life [30].
While PTG discourse has oft-overlapped with the concept of resiliency (and “hardi-
ness”), optimism and pre-trauma assets/abilities to withstand trauma, it is important to
note that PTG research attempts to understand the “processes people use as they struggle
with the aftermath of trauma to derive meaning, feel wiser, and face uncertain futures
with more confidence” [22] (Figure 3). Hence, PTG research emphasizes both the pro-
cesses and the outcomes associated with growth. At the same time, PTG cannot be uncou-
pled from personality features, available resources, and the larger cultural narratives that
surround an individual or community over time [31,32]. For example, higher social sup-
port, spirituality, optimism, active coping strategies, and purpose in life may predict sub-
sequent PTG over time [33–35]. Since optimism and social support networks can be assets
of affluence [36–39], PTG cannot be uncoupled from complex “exposome” discussions—
that is, the total accumulated environmental exposures (both detrimental and beneficial)
that help us understand the response of humans to the total environment over time [40].
Figure 3. Traumatic events can act as catalysts that accelerate change through new awareness and new opportunities that
might not have occurred (or taken longer). (Image inspired by wisdom of Japanese poet Mizuta Masahide; created by
S.L.P).
The broad interpretation of the word “trauma” and reliance upon cross-sectional
studies with retrospective data collection has been a major limitation within the field of
PTG. The extent to which individuals experience PTG and maintain such growth in a way
that promotes wellbeing and/or physical health over time remains far from clear [41]. Still,
a recent meta-analysis indicates that approximately half of individuals who experienced
traumatic events report moderate-to-high levels of PTG [42]. Whether or not perceived
(vs. actual) PTG is part of a coping process (that is, the “psychological immune system”,
cognitive mechanisms that maintain a sense of well-being during times of adversity and
distress [43]) is a matter of ongoing research [44]; it is not our contention that PTG is a
Figure 3.
Traumatic events can act as catalysts that accelerate change through new awareness and new opportunities that
might not have occurred (or taken longer). (Image inspired by wisdom of Japanese poet Mizuta Masahide; created by S.L.P).
The broad interpretation of the word “trauma” and reliance upon cross-sectional
studies with retrospective data collection has been a major limitation within the field of
PTG. The extent to which individuals experience PTG and maintain such growth in a way
that promotes wellbeing and/or physical health over time remains far from clear [
41
]. Still,
a recent meta-analysis indicates that approximately half of individuals who experienced
traumatic events report moderate-to-high levels of PTG [
42
]. Whether or not perceived
(vs. actual) PTG is part of a coping process (that is, the “psychological immune system”,
cognitive mechanisms that maintain a sense of well-being during times of adversity and
distress [
43
]) is a matter of ongoing research [
44
]; it is not our contention that PTG is
a scientific field wherein all the answers can be found. Rather, we suggest that salient
Challenges 2021,12, 9 5 of 14
portions of the available PTG research might inform the larger networks of planetary health
(Figure 4).
Challenges 2021, 12, x 5 of 14
scientific field wherein all the answers can be found. Rather, we suggest that salient por-
tions of the available PTG research might inform the larger networks of planetary health
(Figure 4).
Figure 4. Challenges that break the status quo can provide new or accelerated opportunities for change. Acute events can
unmask chronic problems that seemed impossible to overcome or may not have even been recognized. The new perspec-
tives and greater awareness that result can create new possibilities and galvanize action. What applies to personal growth
may apply equally at collective scales. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
3. New Awareness and Wisdom
“I want those who follow us to look back on us as wise ancestors, good ancestors”
Jonas Salk. 1984 [45].
Among the many potential positive changes that might occur in response to trauma,
new awareness and increased wisdom are central to the growth concept. The new aware-
ness ranges from increased awareness of human potential, existential awareness (meaning
and purpose) and greater appreciation of life [46–48]. The validated Posttraumatic Growth
Inventory (PTGI) includes “New Possibilities” questions such as “New opportunities are
available, which wouldn’t have been otherwise” and “I established a new path for my
life”.
While meaning and purpose in life are often considered to be synonymous, the dis-
tinction is worth noting; experts have concluded that ‘lives may be experienced as mean-
ingful when they are felt to have significance beyond the trivial or momentary, to have
purpose, or to have a coherence that transcends chaos [49]. Thus, meaning in life has three
primary facets—a life with (i) value and significance, (ii) a broader purpose, and (iii) co-
herence as part of a comprehensible whole [50]. Among these facets, purpose in life has
been the subject of robust research. Generally, a high degree of purpose in life is associated
with goals, big picture thinking, and a long view [51]. Higher levels of purpose in life
predicts healthy behaviors [52,53], lower allostatic load (physiological “wear and tear”
Figure 4.
Challenges that break the status quo can provide new or accelerated opportunities for change. Acute events
can unmask chronic problems that seemed impossible to overcome or may not have even been recognized. The new
perspectives and greater awareness that result can create new possibilities and galvanize action. What applies to personal
growth may apply equally at collective scales. (Artwork by S.L.P.).
3. New Awareness and Wisdom
“I want those who follow us to look back on us as wise ancestors, good ancestors” Jonas
Salk. 1984 [45].
Among the many potential positive changes that might occur in response to trauma,
new awareness and increased wisdom are central to the growth concept. The new aware-
ness ranges from increased awareness of human potential, existential awareness (meaning
and purpose) and greater appreciation of life [
46
–
48
]. The validated Posttraumatic Growth
Inventory (PTGI) includes “New Possibilities” questions such as “New opportunities are
available, which wouldn’t have been otherwise” and “I established a new path for my life”.
While meaning and purpose in life are often considered to be synonymous, the
distinction is worth noting; experts have concluded that ‘lives may be experienced as
meaningful when they are felt to have significance beyond the trivial or momentary, to
have purpose, or to have a coherence that transcends chaos [
49
]. Thus, meaning in life
has three primary facets—a life with (i) value and significance, (ii) a broader purpose, and
(iii) coherence as part of a comprehensible whole [
50
]. Among these facets, purpose in
life has been the subject of robust research. Generally, a high degree of purpose in life is
associated with goals, big picture thinking, and a long view [
51
]. Higher levels of purpose
in life predicts healthy behaviors [
52
,
53
], lower allostatic load (physiological “wear and
tear” due to chronic stress) [
54
] and lower non-communicable disease risk [
55
,
56
]. Among
combat veterans with PTSD, lower purpose in life scores are a significant predictor of
Challenges 2021,12, 9 6 of 14
suicidal ideation over time [
57
]. Since the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits also increase
self-reported purpose in life, the overall wellbeing benefits may accrue in a bidirectional
manner [58].
In research settings, wisdom is defined as “morally-grounded excellence in social-
cognitive processing”. Here, moral grounding refers to a set of inter-related aspirational
goals: balance of self, pursuit of truth (vs. dishonesty), and pro-social orientation toward
shared humanity. Excellence in social-cognitive processing refers to the application of
certain forms of meta-cognition to reasoning and problem-solving in situational domains
that have the potential to affect other people. This includes intellectual humility (awareness
of one’s limited knowledge), context-adaptability (pragmatic reasoning, open-mindedness
to change), perspectivism (considering different perspectives and long-term thinking),
dialectical/reflective thinking (balancing and integration of viewpoints, including opposing
perspectives), and epistemic/intellectual humility (e.g., unbiased/accurate thinking, seeing
through illusions, understanding one’s limitations) [
59
]. Validated instruments such as
the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale, the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale, and the Brief
Wisdom Screening Scale, can capture many of the aforementioned aspects of wisdom,
as well as humor and emotional regulation which are also seen as critical components
of wisdom [
60
]. Like purpose in life, wisdom has also been linked with post-traumatic
growth, enhanced mental health outcomes, subjective wellbeing and quality of life [
61
–
63
].
Wisdom is specifically associated with a type of self-reflection (when recalling difficult
life experiences) that engages explanatory processing—extracting lessons, insights and
meaning [
64
]. Indeed, post-traumatic increases in wisdom may further facilitate health-
associated variables such as forgiveness, gratitude and spirituality [65].
It is important to note that the experience of PTG does not automatically equate
to wisdom. As stated by experts in the field, “it is inaccurate to assume that all people
who report PTG are also wiser. The degree to which this may be true would depend
on the particular definition of wisdom and the particular type of PTG” [
66
]. Of course,
the academic concept of wisdom is oft-confined to a westernized perspective [
67
,
68
];
although the concept of trauma differs across cultures, PTG has been observed among
diverse cultural groups, with the available research indicating that PTG is a universal
experience [
66
]. More work is needed to tie together non-western conceptions of wisdom
and PTG.
4. Post Twenty-Twenty
“Posttraumatic growth is not simply a return to baseline” Richard Tedeschi, Lawrence
Calhoun. 2004.
Thus far, we have outlined some of the salient components of the burgeoning PTG
research. Now, we turn our attention to the ways in which aspects of PTG—most notably
new awareness and wisdom at the individual level—might be elevated on larger scales,
from place (community) to planet. Already, international researchers have reported COVID-
19 related PTG among individuals—including the embracing of new possibilities, openness
to the future, positive spiritual change, greater appreciation of life, identification with larger
humanity, and improved relationships [
69
–
71
]. In the context of “2020”, this preliminary
research provokes a critical question: how can we “boost” wisdom?
Among the various wisdom-enhancing techniques used by educators, “self-distancing”
is emerging as one of the most effective strategies; this involves adopting a “detached”
or ego-decentered viewpoint while reflecting on past (or imagined future) experiences
of adversity. This process is often described as a “fly on the wall” perspective, with the
reflection using third person language (as opposed to first person, self-immersed reflection).
Self-distancing leads to lower levels of negative affect and physiological reactivity after
reflecting on past events, and reduces emotional reactivity about future stressors [
72
,
73
].
In the context of PTG, people who reflect on everyday adversity from a self-distanced
perspective experienced growth in their positive emotionality [
74
], and several experimen-
tal studies indicate that self-distancing can promote wise reasoning [
75
–
78
]. Experiments
Challenges 2021,12, 9 7 of 14
demonstrate that cueing people to reason about personally meaningful issues (e.g., Career
prospects for the unemployed during an economic recession; and anticipated societal
changes associated with one’s chosen candidate losing the 2008 U.S. Presidential election)
from a distanced perspective enhances wise reasoning (dialecticism; intellectual humility),
attitudes (cooperation-related attitude assimilation), and behavior (willingness to join a
bipartisan group) [
76
]. While more research is required on the utility of self-distancing in
the context of “2020” trauma, such findings suggest that the techniques may have value in
addressing large-scale, complex, interrelated trauma.
The detachment principle of self-distancing is also a central component of mindful-
ness [
79
]; thus it is unsurprising that mindfulness exercises are also an important part of
teaching interventions that have been shown to promote PTG [80] and wisdom [81,82].
As mentioned earlier, many scholars emphasize the role of emotions in wise behaviors.
As argued by Professor Judith Gluck (see Wisdom, Box 1), who has studied wisdom for
over twenty years, seeing through illusion and self-deception along the path to wise rea-
soning requires emotional awareness, emotion regulation, and empathy [83]. Since moral
grounding is the fulcrum of wisdom, experts have focused in on the emotions that might
underpin the moral grounding of wisdom, including the “self-transcendent” emotions of
compassion, gratitude and awe [
84
]. As self-transcendent emotions are oriented toward
lifting up the wellbeing of others, they offer a tantalizing pathway toward the wisdom
required for post-2020 growth. Indeed, scholars Dacher Keltner and Paul Piff have made
a strong case for awe, already well-known for its ability to amplify humility, scientific
reasoning and pro-social attitudes and behaviors, as the emotion that morally grounds
wisdom [85] (see Awe, Box 2).
Box 1. The Wisdom Mindset.
Dr. Judith Gluck and colleagues (2019) state that wisdom is “deep, personal, experience-based
knowledge about life that is acquired through and goes along with a certain mindset”. The hallmark
of that mindset is “the willingness and ability to take a broad, non-self-centered perspective on life
with the goal of understanding it in all its complexity; [individuals with] this mindset are more
likely than others to learn more about life and accumulate wisdom-related knowledge over time,
and they are more often able to deal with difficult situations wisely”. Dr. Gluck and colleagues
conclude by emphasizing that a greater understanding of how we can foster the wisdom mindset
“may be one of the most crucial questions for humanity at this point” [78].
Box 2. The Power of Awe.
Awe is a positive emotion that is typically provoked by grand stimuli (e.g., viewing scenes of
the Earth from space, vast scenes of breathtaking nature, or childbirth can provoke awe); awe-
provoking stimuli often present with an element of mystery and wonder; a scene or event that
is not immediately understood [
86
,
87
]—perhaps indistinct with what philosophers refer to as
the sublime [
88
]. Awe has been connected to lower systemic inflammation, emotional wellbeing,
increased life satisfaction, mindfulness, increased patience, decreased materialism, and pro-social
and pro-environmental behaviors [
89
–
92
]. Awe enhances openness to learning, the desire to
innovate and engage in creative pursuits [
89
]. While studies have generally examined short-term
outcomes after awe induction, it has been argued that awe is much more than a ‘fleeting moment’
emotion; rather, it has steady-state properties with much larger, transformative implications to
health and vitality at scales of person, place and planet [
93
]. As stated by expert Kirk Schneider: “To
the extent that people are deficient in awe for life, they are much more prone to be embittered, to feel desolate
or numb and to protect their hunger for spiritual connection on quick fixes, whether they be commercial
products or leaders or mass movements” [94].
Preliminary research from China has shown that the magnitude of the COVID-19
pandemic is associated with awe; while vast experiences such as natural disasters can
induce “negative” awe, associated with threat (anxiety, fear), and the pandemic appears no
different in that regard, researchers have found positive awe associated with COVID-19,
including stronger feelings of admiration, inspiration, and optimism. Researchers, in their
Challenges 2021,12, 9 8 of 14
examination of green consumption behaviors, concluded that the positive awe of COVID-
19 stems from the greatness of life, the selfless acts of healthcare heroes, and the collective
heroism displayed by volunteers. Moreover, individuals with pandemic-associated positive
awe had higher levels of environmental and social concern, and that this environmental
concern significantly increased (experimental) green consumption behavior [95].
5. Growth from One, to Many
“Everything can be taken [except] one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose
one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way,” Viktor E.
Frankl, 1959 [96].
As mentioned, the bulk of PTG research pertains to the experience of individuals.
At present, we cannot assume that responses to trauma at the individual level, and the
experience of PTG, can be neatly multiplied from person to the group level, and ultimately,
to the global level. To do so would ignore the diverse total lived experiences of individuals
and groups, and the disparate group level ecology (institutions, environment, public health,
etc.) that shape the lived experiences from micro, meso and to macro scales. Individual and
cultural differences will be at play. For example, recent research from Greece indicates that
the relatively stable trait of dispositional optimism is a key driver of COVID-related PTG.
Specifically, dispositional optimism predicts the ability of individuals to draw personal
strength and explore new perspectives in the context of COVID-19 associated PTG [
97
].
While individual level optimism can be malleable and increased through interventions [
98
],
it is important to note that higher levels of optimism and/or lower levels of pessimism
(the absence of pessimism is a health variable distinct from the presence of optimism [
99
])
are linked to socioeconomic advantage [
100
,
101
]. On the other hand, overly optimistic
outlooks can impede realistic expectations about the future, maintain an unhealthy status
quo, and subsequently act as a barrier to health promotion [
102
] and it can also imply
that those who do not take a positive attitude toward disaster are at personal fault. Thus,
our contention that “Twenty-Twenty”-associated PTG might spread across networks and
nations is perhaps, itself, overly optimistic, and is certainly predicated on individual and
cultural differences, including pre/post COVID conditions that might either facilitate or
hinder PTG.
With that major caveat in place, we can point out that there is some evidence that PTG
is “transmissible” to close others, and even to larger groups and social systems [
66
,
103
].
For example, life partners, siblings and/or caregivers of cancer patients or cancer survivors
have reported PTG in various studies [
104
–
107
]. Related to this research is so-called
vicarious (or secondary) PTG wherein first responders, healthcare workers and/or those
who spend extended time with trauma survivors, experience PTG [
108
–
111
]. Research
drawn from military, first responder and healthcare professions (where the likelihood
of direct and vicarious exposure to trauma is common) has resulted in organizational
responses that might facilitate PTG [
112
]. The potential for pandemic-related PTG at the
organizational level has already been put forth by leaders in the field of PTSD; citing
examples such as the post-Hurricane Katrina transformation of the New Orleans healthcare
system, experts contend that there is an opportunity to establish a “new normal” in which
organizations are not only restored, but achieve a higher level of functioning as a result
of addressing and learning from a traumatic event [
113
]. Trauma can certainly impact
organizations (e.g., natural disasters, homicide, suicide, fire, massive financial crime,
harassment, discrimination) and, much like individual-level PTG, the pre-trauma assets of
organizations (e.g., a culture of empathy, compassion, support, wisdom) may determine
the extent to which PTG may occur [
112
]; at this point researchers are only beginning to
examine the ‘collective cognitions’, especially by leadership, that might provoke workplace
or organizational PTG [114,115].
Recall, it is not a specific trauma per se that causes growth; rather, it is the struggle
and response to the trauma. History is replete with examples of mass trauma (natural and
human-made catastrophes) leading to the sharing and integration of individual narratives
Challenges 2021,12, 9 9 of 14
into a large-scale whole [
116
,
117
]. In recent years, the survivors of school shootings (and
their parents) in the United States have galvanized a movement, one with a clear sense of
purpose in the efforts toward meaningful, long-overdue policy changes [
118
,
119
]. At the
same time, the experiences of mass trauma uncovers preexisting inequalities and injustice;
this has certainly been the case with COVID-19, where the heaviest burden is shouldered
by disadvantaged individuals and communities [
120
]; disparate responses by government
and organizations to COVID-19 (some ignoring expert public health guidance), and the
ability of certain advantaged individuals (often with occupations easily operable via on-
line services) has challenged the notion that “we are all in this together” [
121
]. Still, even
though the events of “Twenty-Twenty” have not evoked equal levels of trauma throughout
communities and across borders, and many of the Anthropocene’s unhealthy status quo
hallmarks (and its attendant misinformation mess [
12
]) seem as entrenched as ever, the
available PTG research has a place in the discourse of health at scales of person, place
and planet.
While individual PTG is associated with an examination of who the person “is” in
the aftermath of trauma, mass trauma can provoke examination of who “we” are, and
what meaning can be drawn from the trauma. Research shows that traumatic experiences
can enable growth in individuals’ leadership capacity [
112
], which supports the many
historical examples wherein seismic trauma leads to the emergence of previously unknown
citizens who take morally grounded leadership roles [
23
,
122
]. Although times of great
fear have provided a Petri dish for enhanced “in-group” affiliation and the rise of political
authoritarianism, the emergence of wise citizens and leaders can provide an antidote [
123
];
given the human propensity to mimic the behavior of others [
124
], elevating the narratives
of moral exemplars—individuals who have lived their lives in a morally exceptional
manner—may be an important part of the path to promote post-2020 wisdom [125].
6. Conclusions
“We have a duty to trumpet the reality of post-traumatic growth, not only to those who
have experienced PTSD or are likely to, but to society as a whole, so that when tragedy
does strike we are prepared to receive its victims with a supportive and knowledgeable
embrace; informed by science, warmed by compassion” Samuel Dickinson, Weill
Cornell Medical College. 2020 [126].
In the aftermath of “2020”, it can be easy to forget that the pre-pandemic world was
already facing wicked, interrelated challenges known as ‘Anthropocene Syndrome’ [
127
].
There was already a mental health crisis, environmental calamities and unprecedented levels
of NCDs. In the wake of “2020”, much has been written on the large-scale mental health
implications of the global pandemic, and rightfully so. Yet, the ever-increasing body of
research under the rubric of PTG may also provide salient, and certainly hopeful, information.
While the general public is very familiar with the term post-traumatic stress disorder,
a much smaller fraction are aware of PTG [
128
]. Perhaps “2020” provides an opportunity
to raise awareness of PTG, and emphasize its components, such as new possibilities, self-
distancing, mindfulness and wisdom. Obviously, there are untold numbers of unanswered
research questions, yet the available research would suggest that “2020” fulfills the trauma
criteria of having a “seismic impact on the assumptive world”, and as such, provides fertile
ground for PTG, and associated wise reasoning.
Author Contributions:
Conceptualization, data curation, original draft preparation, A.C.L. and
S.L.P.; review editing and project administration, S.H.B., R.B.S. and B.M.B. Art creations by S.L.P. All
authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Challenges 2021,12, 9 10 of 14
Conflicts of Interest:
A.C.L. is the author of trade book “The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching Truth
While We Can” (ISBN 9781736197400) published in 2020 on aspects of the media, propaganda and
post-truth. S.H.B., R.B.D., B.M.B. and S.L.P. declare no conflict of interest.
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