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Summary
The article "Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: Empirical Evidence and Clinical
Applications from a Christian Perspective" delves into the concept of resilience and
posttraumatic growth in military and civilian populations, emphasizing veterans. Empirical
evidence supports each topic and the implications of these concepts for clinical practice. The
article offers an in-depth analysis of how trauma can lead to growth and positive change for
individuals in the armed forces and the role of resilience in this process. It also explores the
intersection of these ideas with a Biblical worldview and incorporates those ideas into Christian
counseling and therapy. Overall, this article offers valuable insights into the field of trauma
recovery and its intersection with Christian beliefs.
Tan (2013) begins by defining5resilience5as the capacity to adapt successfully in the
presence of risk and adversity" (Meichenbaum, 2012, p. 3). Additionally, this term is deemed
multidimensional as it is broad 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). The article gives an excellent perspective on overcoming
difficult circumstances and achieving radical change. Additionally, it evaluates the empirical
evidence supporting the effectiveness of resilience and posttraumatic growth interventions
among military personnel and their families. Numerous findings suggest confirmation bias
involving the mental health of service members following a traumatic event. According to Tan
2013, p. 359, these findings noted that most military personnel have invisible wounds, difficulty
adjusting to everyday lives, and abnormal divorce rates. The author also wrote about the research
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concerning children of military families and how they seemingly "function as well as or better
than children in civilian families as it relates to losses and traumas they have endured (p. 360)
The author's research evaluation focused on the presentation that most humans who have
gone through traumatic events have developed resilience. Tan (2013) uses many percentages
throughout the article to give the proper perspective for the evidence found. Listing the results
opens the reader's eyes to the toughness of members of the armed forces and their families. Tan
(2013) also evaluated the research of civilian populations and their families. The author
correlated the types of events that civilians may face that catapult them into posttraumatic
resilience. The most notable events were victimization, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks
(Tan, 2013). The author even summarized that the research suggested that resilience and
posttraumatic growth can be found worldwide (Tan, 2013, p.360).5
After determining resilience through the different populations, the focus of the article
then becomes a clinical application that will contribute to resilience and posttraumatic growth.
Tan, 2013 derived a list of evidence-based strategies for use throughout counseling to foster
resilience; this list included six significant areas: physical fitness, interpersonal fitness, emotional
fitness, thinking fitness, behavioral fitness, and spiritual fitness (Tan, 2013, pp. 360-361) areas
Each of these clinical strategies or applications can enhance or increase resilience as gleaned
from research for use in practice. Tan (2013) also utilized Joseph's THRIVE model, where there
are six "signposts" in a self-help format that can be applied in practice, which include taking
stock, harvesting hope, reauthoring, identifying change, valuing change, and expressing a shift in
action. Tan (2013) profoundly explores each signpost's meaning (p. 361-362).
One of the key strengths of this article is its integration of Christian perspectives on
resilience and posttraumatic growth. Tan argues that Christian beliefs can provide a powerful
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source of strength and hope for individuals who have experienced trauma because the Bible has
much to say about suffering (Tan, 2013). Christian principles, such as humility, sanctification,
obedience, and self-control, can be critical components of resilience and posttraumatic growth
interventions. The article also acknowledges that suffering is a paramount attribute of the
Christian faith, as with many other religions worldwide. The author offers a Biblical perspective
that suggests that suffering allows Christ's life to manifest in our mortal flesh (Tan, 2013),
ultimately eradicating self-sufficiency and pride.5
Overall, "Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: Empirical Evidence and Clinical
Applications from a Christian Perspective" provides a thoughtful and comprehensive exploration
of resilience and posttraumatic growth and its potential applications in clinical practice.
Integrating Christian perspectives is a welcome addition, delivering a unique and valuable
perspective on these essential concepts.
Interaction
After reading "Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: Empirical Evidence and Clinical
Applications from a Christian Perspective" by Siang-Yang Tan, I found the article to be a well-
researched and comprehensive exploration of the practical applications that can be used in
clinical settings, fostering resilience and posttraumatic growth. I connected deeply with the title
of this article, which attributed to it being my choice for the assignment. As Tan, 2013 pointed
out, trauma is something that most people in the world have experienced in one form or another.
As someone who was reared in unfavorable circumstances, suffering and subsequent resilience is
something I have known well. The goal following traumatic events, however, is to transform
those experiences into something useful that will help positively shape the lives of others who
may have faced a similar circumstance.
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The author's emphasis on the role of resilience in achieving positive change in individuals
who have experienced trauma, particularly veterans, was informative and made me better
understand that the stereotypes about veterans and mental illness are not applicable in all
situations. This article helped me realize that anyone can thrive following war or any other
traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, with the right tools. I didn't realize that the number of
military personnel who experience posttraumatic growth was so astounding.
Integrating Christian principles provided a unique perspective on resilience and
posttraumatic growth interventions. I appreciated the author's attention to the intersection of
these ideas with a Biblical worldview. The scripture that comes to mind is 2 Timothy 2:12, " If
we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." Suffering is
something that makes us most like Christ. It develops His character in us because we must seek
Him and His attributes to overcome whatever the suffering is. There is a way to suffer well
without complaining and contention. When we do this, we get to reign with Christ, not just when
we make it to Heaven. I appreciated how the author gave practical tools for use in counseling
applications. Overall, the article offered valuable insights into trauma recovery and its potential
applications in clinical practice.
Application
As a clinician, when working with a client experiencing depression, I would apply the
THRIVE: Six Signposts to Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth method to help them overcome
their condition. The THRIVE method is a framework that focuses on the six critical signposts
that can facilitate posttraumatic growth in individuals who have experienced trauma. These
signposts are: 1. Taking stock 2. Harvesting Hope 3. Re-authoring 4. Identifying change 5.
Valuing change 6. Expressing change in action. I would encourage my client to tell their story of
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depression and how it has impacted their life. This would help them to process their emotions
and begin to see their experience as a part of their journey towards growth and healing. I would
ensure that their basic needs for life are intact and they are practicing self-care, connecting with
others and keeping pleasurable things in their life.
Next, I would help my client to seek out hope. This could include finding examples of
inspirational people that can spark personal growth. This would enable them to reconnect with
their sense of purpose and find meaning in their life. Recognizing and challenging beliefs would
involve exploring the negative thoughts and beliefs that are contributing to my client's
depression.
By challenging these beliefs and replacing them with more positive and empowering
ones, my clients can change their mindset and improve their mental health. Visioning a new
future would involve helping my client set goals and envision a future where they are free from
depression. This would motivate them and give them hope for the future.
Finally, enacting the new story would involve acting towards achieving their goals and
creating a new narrative for their life. This could include trying new things, building new
relationships, and taking steps towards their desired future. By applying the THRIVE method to
a client experiencing depression, I would be able to provide them with a framework for growth
and healing. This method would enable them to see their experience as a part of their journey
towards resilience and posttraumatic growth and empower them to act towards a brighter future.
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References
Tan, S. (2013). Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth: Empirical Evidence and Clinical
Applications from a Christian Perspective.Journal of Psychology and Christianity,32(4),
358-364. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/
scholarly-journals/resilience-posttraumatic-growth-empirical/docview/1497174346/se-2
The Holy Bible, New International Version: Containing the Old Testament and the
NewTestament. (1984). International Bible Society. (Original work published 1973)
Tan, S. Y. (2019). Is Suffering Necessary for Growth? Posttraumatic Growth and Postecstatic
Growth: Empirical Evidence and Clinical Applications from a Christian Perspective.
Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 38(4), 283-287.Kim, J.J., & Enright, R.D. (2014).
A Theological and Psychological Defense of Self-
Forgiveness: Implications for Counseling. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42(3),
260-268.
The Holy Bible, New International Version: Containing the Old Testament and the New
Testament. (1984). International Bible Society. (Original work published 1973)
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