Letting Go of the Negative: Psychological Growth From a Close Brush with Death

Theorists have suggested that traumas can challenge an individual's positive assumptions about the world (e.g., the world is just), and that this, in turn, can set the stage for psychological growth. This paper considers the proposition that psychological growth may also occur when traumas challenge an individual's negative assumptions about the world (e.g., it's a dog eat dog world). One powerful challenge to negative world assumptions is a close brush with death. Under some circumstances, a close brush with death can lead individuals to disengage from culturally-derived goals that may not be personally fulfilling (e.g., spend more time at leisure than at work) and pursue goals that are more personally valid (e.g., meaningful work). This goal re-prioritization can reduce rumination and negative affect while increasing mindfulness and present focus. Some aftereffects of a close brush with death are reviewed in light of contemporary theories of motivation. Then, research on aging and wisdom is discussed to explore the possibility that similar effects may result from successful aging. Finally, this paper offers up a theoretical integration of these ideas and speculates on some clinical implications.