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11 From an evolutionary point of view, early humans would not have survived had they not found ways to cope with stressful situations. Those who did not have these coping mechanisms succumbed to adverse circumstances and their genes dropped out of the gene pool. As a result, contemporary humans have biological, psychological, and social capacities for transforming stressful circumstances into positive actions, using adversity to foster growth (Joseph & Linley, 2006). These positive attitudes are reflected in data from a 2015 study concerning veterans. More of them vote in local elections than non-veterans, more volunteer for community projects, and more are gainfully employed. This number includes PTSD survivors. Both groups have benefitted from training that makes them uniquely qualified to participate in community engagement and tackle the special challenges of the 21st century. Combat veterans can recall instances of courage and leadership, as well as instant "intuitive" decisions that saved lives. Even following the divisive Vietnam War, 70 percent of returning veterans referred to their military experience as positive. Those who were imprisoned for years in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" experienced positive growth when they returned, with a PTSD rate far lower than that recorded for Vietnam veterans in general. The camaraderie of the prisoners appeared to be a critical factor in their resilience (Krippner, Pitchford, & Davies, 2012, pp. 137-142). The humanistic and existential psychotherapies are an overlooked asset in restoration, rebounding, and healing. These treatment approaches can help traumatized clients discover what is most meaningful in their lives, even though they might involve a departure from conditioned, conventional beliefs and behaviors. Former beliefs and values might no longer make sense after experiencing a trauma falling outside of their customary expectations of normality, fairness, and justice. Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996) have developed an inventory to help therapists identify what they call post-traumatic growth. Some of the areas explored in this inventory are perceived changes in self- concept, appreciation for life, relationships with others, spirituality, and personal philosophy. In a study of 30 aviators who were imprisoned during the Vietnam War, the inventory revealed greater post-traumatic growth among those who were imprisoned the longest. These data revealed that women were more likely than men to experience post-traumatic growth, possibly because they were more likely to rely on spiritual or religious resources (Tedeschi & McNally, 2011). Tedeschi and Calhoun (1996) have created a model of post-traumatic growth based on the data obtained from their inventory. Several factors have the potential to increase positive outcomes: 1. The trauma survivor's ability to think through the trauma and confront the issues it brings up. 2. The survivor's ability to disclose one's concerns surrounding traumatic experiences and observe other people's reactions to this self-disclosure. 3. The survivor's attempts to process, disclose, and resolve the trauma, given the social and cultural context in which the trauma occurred. 4. The personal dispositions of the survivor and the degree to which he or she is resilient. 5. The degree to which specific traumatic experiences foster or repress these processes. Reproduced with permission of The Licensor through PLSclear / Routledge