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Self-Transcendence as a Buffer Against COVID-19 Suffering : The Development and Validation of the Self-Transcendence Measure-B

Wong, Paul T.P. ; Arslan, Gökmen ; Bowers, Victoria L. ; Peacock, Edward J. ; Kjell, Oscar Nils Erik LU ; Ivtzan, Itai and Lomas, Tim (2021) In Frontiers in Psychology 12.
Abstract

The age of COVID-19 calls for a different approach toward global well-being and flourishing through the transcendence suffering as advocated by existential positive psychology. In the present study, we primarily explained what self-transcendence is and why it represents the most promising path for human beings to flourish through the transformation of suffering in a difficult and uncertain world. After reviewing the literature on self-transcendence experiences, we concluded that the model of self-transcendence presented by Frankl is able to integrate both of the characteristics associated with self-transcendence. Afterward, we discussed how the self-transcendence paradigm proposed by Wong, an extension of the model by Frankl, may help... (More)

The age of COVID-19 calls for a different approach toward global well-being and flourishing through the transcendence suffering as advocated by existential positive psychology. In the present study, we primarily explained what self-transcendence is and why it represents the most promising path for human beings to flourish through the transformation of suffering in a difficult and uncertain world. After reviewing the literature on self-transcendence experiences, we concluded that the model of self-transcendence presented by Frankl is able to integrate both of the characteristics associated with self-transcendence. Afterward, we discussed how the self-transcendence paradigm proposed by Wong, an extension of the model by Frankl, may help awaken our innate capacity for connections with the true self, with others, and with God or something larger than oneself. We presented self-transcendence as a less-traveled but more promising route to achieve personal growth and mental health in troubled times. Finally, we presented the history of the development and psychometrics of the Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief (STM-B) and reported the empirical evidence that self-transcendence served as a buffer against COVID-19 suffering. The presented data in the current study suggested that the best way to overcome pandemic suffering and mental health crises is to cultivate self-transcendence.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
COVID-19, existential positive psychology (PP2.0), existential psychology, mature happiness, meaning, positive psychology, self-transcendence, wellbeing
in
Frontiers in Psychology
volume
12
article number
648549
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:34690853
  • scopus:85114326980
ISSN
1664-1078
DOI
10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648549
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a580ec11-187d-4eba-9460-dae55d0a96a5
date added to LUP
2022-03-22 11:15:48
date last changed
2024-06-07 01:54:12
@article{a580ec11-187d-4eba-9460-dae55d0a96a5,
  abstract     = {{<p>The age of COVID-19 calls for a different approach toward global well-being and flourishing through the transcendence suffering as advocated by existential positive psychology. In the present study, we primarily explained what self-transcendence is and why it represents the most promising path for human beings to flourish through the transformation of suffering in a difficult and uncertain world. After reviewing the literature on self-transcendence experiences, we concluded that the model of self-transcendence presented by Frankl is able to integrate both of the characteristics associated with self-transcendence. Afterward, we discussed how the self-transcendence paradigm proposed by Wong, an extension of the model by Frankl, may help awaken our innate capacity for connections with the true self, with others, and with God or something larger than oneself. We presented self-transcendence as a less-traveled but more promising route to achieve personal growth and mental health in troubled times. Finally, we presented the history of the development and psychometrics of the Self-Transcendence Measure-Brief (STM-B) and reported the empirical evidence that self-transcendence served as a buffer against COVID-19 suffering. The presented data in the current study suggested that the best way to overcome pandemic suffering and mental health crises is to cultivate self-transcendence.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wong, Paul T.P. and Arslan, Gökmen and Bowers, Victoria L. and Peacock, Edward J. and Kjell, Oscar Nils Erik and Ivtzan, Itai and Lomas, Tim}},
  issn         = {{1664-1078}},
  keywords     = {{COVID-19; existential positive psychology (PP2.0); existential psychology; mature happiness; meaning; positive psychology; self-transcendence; wellbeing}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Psychology}},
  title        = {{Self-Transcendence as a Buffer Against COVID-19 Suffering : The Development and Validation of the Self-Transcendence Measure-B}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648549}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648549}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}