ABSTRACT

Given the universality of suffering and devastation for individuals and groups of people, how can we account for phenomena such as individual renewal and the rebirth of nations? Historically, in psychology and psychiatry, we have focused almost exclusively on the course of disease and on the maladaptive behavior observed in those who have experienced traumatic events such as losses, abusive childhoods, and other frightening experiences. Most depressive and anxiety disorders, and many personality disorders have been attributed in great part to experiences of fear, discouragement, and damage in the face of adversity.