Abstract
Contemporary society exists in a “rolling present” of cascading global crises—pandemics, climate change, economic instability, and digital-mediated conflicts—that generate widespread collective trauma extending far beyond direct exposure. This analysis examines how the same forces producing collective anxiety can paradoxically catalyze resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG) when channeled through adaptive pathways.
Different trauma typologies (acute shocks, chronic stressors, vicarious exposure, invisible threats) create dynamic feedback loops that either perpetuate maladaptive cycles or foster adaptive responses through collective efficacy, meaning-making, and prosocial action. Four distinct posttraumatic trajectories emerge: chronic distress, functional resilience, wave-like recovery, and authentic growth that transforms individuals and communities.
The paper identifies key resilience pathways including social cohesion, transparent communication, equitable resource distribution, and culturally attuned rituals that convert fragmentation into coherent narratives. Policy implications emphasize embedding psychological first aid, maintaining institutional trust, and creating conditions for collective storytelling. Rather than passive victimhood, communities can actively architect adaptive capacity, transforming perpetual disruption into sustained growth while acknowledging genuine grief and loss.
Keywords: Collective trauma, PTG, Resilience pathways
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