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The “3 Cs” of Psychological Survival In Economic Hard Times
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Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008
Whether one’s own personal hard times are caused by financial pressures, job loss, or just plain worry about what the future holds, research consistently shows that three coping attitudes are foundational to psychological survival – to putting the brakes on potential breakdown.
About 25 years ago, psychologist Salvadore Maddi and a team of investigators began trying to find out why some people seem to avoid the troubles that accompany job loss and economic uncertainty, such as heart attacks, depression, burnout, and marital breakup. The psychologists’ research showed that those who come through economic uncertainties in tact consistently had three defining attitudes – the "3-Cs of psychological survival."
These attitudes are:
Additional research by Dr. Maddi and his team showed that the “3-Cs” can be learned – one can grow stronger in each, or in all three! To do so takes personal preparation. To learn more about how to prepare for growth in these attitudes visit www.antiochgroup.com or learn more about The Antioch Group at their WEEK Your Health Matters Today Expert Page. “Virtually everything we do or fail to do (in life) Constitutes a decision, whether we recognize this or not” - Salvadore Maddi, Ph.D (2002)
About 25 years ago, psychologist Salvadore Maddi and a team of investigators began trying to find out why some people seem to avoid the troubles that accompany job loss and economic uncertainty, such as heart attacks, depression, burnout, and marital breakup. The psychologists’ research showed that those who come through economic uncertainties in tact consistently had three defining attitudes – the "3-Cs of psychological survival."
These attitudes are:
- Commitment – The decision to do everything one can to face the situation squarely in search of a way through it. This includes drawing on the support of family, friends, and advisors instead of avoiding people in shame because of changes in financial or job status. It also involves personal choice not to lapse into escapism through venues of alcohol, drugs, computer time, or pornography.
- Control – This attitude places emphasis on healthy control, which begins with the active, pragmatic acceptance that not every factor can be controlled. From there, this attitude involves “thinking outside the box” (with help from others) to reconstruct one’s situation in such a way that factors that can be changed come to the fore, then actively doing whatever is necessary to take control of these and bring change about.
- Challenge – The hallmark of this attitude is recasting obstacles as challenges that can be dealt with, rather than as threats to be avoided. Practically speaking, this means being willing to try out solutions to elements of the problem, and to treat both solutions that do work and those that don’t as learning opportunities, rather than as personal failures.
Additional research by Dr. Maddi and his team showed that the “3-Cs” can be learned – one can grow stronger in each, or in all three! To do so takes personal preparation. To learn more about how to prepare for growth in these attitudes visit www.antiochgroup.com or learn more about The Antioch Group at their WEEK Your Health Matters Today Expert Page. “Virtually everything we do or fail to do (in life) Constitutes a decision, whether we recognize this or not” - Salvadore Maddi, Ph.D (2002)
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Rene says ...
On Monday, Feb 23 at 9:05 PM
Having been through a very difficult ordeal, I learned many coping stratigies. One of the best of these was to realize that I have what I need today. Just today. When the obsticles seemed to great, focusing on today, and the realization that I have abuntantly what I need for today, helped me to make it into my tomorrows.<