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Positive Adjustment to Threatening Events: An Organismic Valuing Theory of Growth through Adversity

Joseph, Stephen, Linley, P. Alex·2005·Review of General Psychology

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Abstract

A positive psychological theory of growth through adversity is proposed. The organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity posits an intrinsic motivation toward growth, showing how this leads to the states of intrusion and avoidance that are characteristic of cognitive-emotional processing after trauma. The theory posits 3 possible outcomes of this cognitive-emotional processing, namely, assimilation, negative accommodation, and positive accommodation. The theory shows how the organismic valuing process will automatically lead to the actualization of positive changes in psychological well-being, through the positive accommodation of the new trauma-related information, provided that the social environment is able to support this positive accommodation process.

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Authors: Joseph, S., & Linley, P. A.
Venue: Review of General Psychology
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2005-09
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 262-280
ISSN: 1089-2680 (ISSN-L)
1939-1552
DOI: 10.1037/1089-2680.9.3.262
OpenAlex: W2111311711
Cited by: 892
References: 23
FWCI: 23.51
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)

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Positive Adjustment to Threatening Events: An Organismic Valuing Theory of Growth through Adversity

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