Abstract
The authors examine the current views on the duality of the human experience as portrayed within the process of coping with traumatic life events. Emphasis is placed on those views associated with the onset or diagnosis of chronic illnesses and disabilities (CID). In a companion article, the authors reviewed experiential dualities focusing on (a) modes of psychosocial adaptation to CID, such as coping versus succumbing, disabled and nondisabled selves; (b) models of denial; and (c) models of personal growth following adversity and traumatic events, such as the onset or diagnosis of CID. Discussion then focused on the dualities espoused by the latter models, which typically dichotomize human functioning following traumatic experiences. In the present article, the authors discuss (a) the main factors, considered by the various theoretical models, that have been found to exert influence on the genuineness of personal growth, with a special emphasis on post-CID psychological growth; (b) pertinent empirical findings that, directly and indirectly, address the perceived dualities of personal growth in the context of psychosocial adaptation to CID; and (c) theoretical and research implications associated with the study of the dual nature of post-CID growth, including recommendations for investigating the veracity of this reported personal growth.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 78-93 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Hammill Institute on Disabilities 2018.
Keywords
- chronic illness and disability
- denial
- experiential duality
- personal/psychological growth
- psychosocial adaptation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rehabilitation
- Applied Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health