Optimal Sense-Making and Resilience in Times of Pandemic: Integrating Rationality and Meaning in Psychotherapy

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a wide variety of psychological crises worldwide. In order to respond rapidly and efficiently to the complex challenges, mental health professionals are required to adopt a multidimensional and integrative view. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) founded by Albert Ellis promotes rationality and self-acceptance. Logotherapy, pioneered by Viktor Frankl potentiates meaning and resilience. Both approaches are complementary and mutually enriching. The goal of this paper is to propose an integrative model of “optimal sense-making,” a concept that combines both rationality and meaning, as well as the role of self-transcendence and healthy negative emotions. The model offers a theoretical and clinical foundation for efficient and effective psychological intervention plans for those affected by the pandemic. Along with theoretical background, illustrating case studies are presented to support potential application of the integrative model to affected individuals as well as the work of first-line health professionals during these times of pandemic. Implications are considered for utilizing theoretical and applied insights from the model to cultivate resilience in face of adversity and suffering.

Adaptive responding to prolonged stress exposure: A binational study on the impact of flexibility on latent profiles of cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Similarly, it is important to assess responses to COVID‐19 on a cognitive, emotional and behavioural level. These levels are regarded as interconnected and interactive processes that influence each other (Russo‐Netzer & Ameli, 2021 ). Yet, COVID‐19‐related effects may manifest disproportionally on some level(s) and not on others.…”

A latent profile analysis of resilience and the associations with flourishing in emergency nurses exposed to workplace violence in China

“…However, emergency nurses in the Profile 4 were more likely to generate rational thoughts after experiencing adversity compared to the Profile 2. Previous research highlighted the importance of rationality to avoid adding horror to the adversity (Russo‐Netzer & Ameli, 2021). Specifically, rational thinking in a flexible and non‐extreme way, including non‐awfulizing belief, discomfort tolerance belief, acceptance belief, has been used in the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (RECT), of which the effectiveness and efficacy has been established (David et al, 2018).…”

Challenges of Researchers in Conducting International Study during the Eruption of COVID-19: Student and Mentor Perspectives

“…COVID-19 impacted humanity globally, regardless of citizenship, culture, race, gender, ethnic group, sexual orientation, or any other affiliation, which resulted at times in feelings of despair, meaninglessness, loneliness and a violation of profound aspects of life, such as questioning the purpose in living [ 48 ]. Still the impacts of COVID-19 were disproportionately more taxing among sexual minorities, BIPOC and women in general in academia [ 45 ], underserved and marginalized populations belonging to a low socio-economic stratum [ 47 ], as well as minorities and refugee populations in the Middle East [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…It is thus crucial to familiarize all actors with the term “monoanthropism” or shared humanity [ 27 ], to offer them some hope and strength, since they are not alone in the current situation, and to remind them that what they do is meaningful, under all circumstances, including at times of inevitable suffering and torment. Such a reminder will encourage them to make an opportunity out of a challenge and to gain resilience and growth in the face of adversity [ 48 ].…”