Michael Polanyi’s Personal Knowledge as a Work of Alchemy in the Jungian Sense

A climactic moment appears in Michael Polanyi’s Personal Knowledge when he describes the modern predicament of humanity as a second ejection from paradise triggered by the uneasy discovery that our knowledge cannot be justified objectively. Polanyi’s philosophy is a response to the cataclysmic consequences of this second fall from grace. It seeks to establish a “balance of mind” that yields neither to the Scylla of objectivism nor the Charybdis of nihilism. Such themes are reminiscent of Jungian psychology and the process of individuation, yet there is no evidence that Polanyi appreciated this. That he nevertheless employs metaphors and ideas suggestive of the psychical transformations recorded by alchemists is telling. It raises the possibility that while his work is evidently concerned with epistemology, it is, at another level, a highly sophisticated depiction of psychological growth—both for Polanyi, and for anyone who accepts his invitation to join the opus.

Flow and its Relationship to Happiness Among Students of Law and Fine Arts Faculties at Damascus University: التدفق النفسي وعلاقته بالسعادة لدى طلبة كليتي الحقوق والفنون الجميلة بجامعة دمشق

The aim of current research is to study the relationship between psychological flow and happiness among a sample of Damascus University students (Faculties of Law and Fine Arts), in addition to knowing the differences in happiness and psychological flow due to variables (gender, faculty). The research used the descriptive correlative approach. the researcher used Jackson and Elkland flow questionnaire, and the Oxford happiness questionnaire prepared by Argyle and Hills; which applied to a sample of (300) students of the third year. The results showed that there is, a statistically significant correlation between psychological flow and happiness (0.70) and there is a statistically significant correlation between Happiness and each loss of self-consciousness, Merging of action and awareness, and sense of control with (0.63, 0.59, 0.47) respectively. Also, the results showed there are no statistically significant differences in the psychological flow or in happiness among the members of the research sample due to the variable (sex) at level (0.05≥α). While there were statistically significant differences in the psychological flow among the members of the sample due to the variable of (faculty), in favor of the students of Fine Arts faculty. According to the results of research, psychological flow explains about 70% of the total variance in happiness. Based on the results, the researcher presented a number of recommendations to improve the psychological growth and happiness among the two colleges.

Abstract 12971: Positive Psychological Growth Post Cardiac Arrest Survivorship: A Pilot Study

Background: Cardiac arrest (CA) has an annual US incidence of >500,000 with survival rates ~10%. Although most studies focus on survival and neurological outcomes, understanding long-term psychological consequences is of equal importance. Some have reported negative psychological outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD; however, since survivors of other adverse life-threatening disorders, including cancer, report positive psychological growth, we sought to test the hypothesis that CA survival may also be associated with growth of positive psychological traits. Method: Invitations were sent to CA survivors through their local hospitals or national registries to participate in an online pilot cross sectional study. Overall, 47 agreed and were given a series of standardized questionnaires to assess the following positive personality traits: empathy, compassion, forgiveness, altruism, optimism, gratitude, positivity, spirituality, consideration for others’ needs, and happiness. Using a 5-point Likert scale, they then estimated the relative change in these traits since their CA event, where 1=significant decrease, 2=moderate decrease, 3=no change, 4 =moderate increase, and 5=significant increase. Results: Overall 42 of 47 (89%) reported a return to their daily functional activities. Personality trait ratings were analyzed using a sign test relative to a population median score of 3 (i.e. no change) for statistical analysis. Participants showed statistically significant differences in all the assessed personality traits: gratitude (median=4, p<0.0001), compassion (median=4, p= p<0.0001), altruism (median=4, p<0.0001), empathy (median=4, p<0.0001), spirituality(median=4, p<0.0001), consideration for others’ needs (median=4, p<0.0001), forgiveness(median=4, p<0.0005), optimism (median=4, p<0.001), positivity (median=4, p<0.005), and happiness(median=4, p<0.05). Conclusions: Long-term psychological sequelae of CA survivorship remains ill understood. However, some CA survivors may develop greater positive psychological traits following CA. Further studies are required to assess the relationship between CA and long-term positive changes and quality of life, as well as possible therapeutic interventions.

Attitudes Toward Aging And Happiness In Chinese Old Adults：A Mediating Effect of Spirituality

Background: Attitudes toward aging in old adults are critical for their adjustment, health-promoting behavior, quality of life and life satisfaction. However, fairly little is known about the inner mechanism between attitudes toward aging and happiness in Chinse old adults. This study examined the relationship between attitudes toward aging and happiness in old adults by introducing the mediator of spirituality in a Chinese context. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among persons aged 50 to 100 years old was carried out in 16 selected cities of 9 provinces (municipality) in Western,Central,and Eastern China. Trained research assistants collected data by face to face interview with the aid of online questionnaire. The Attitude to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ),Howden’ Spirituality Assessment (SA),and Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH) were used to measure participants’ attitudes toward aging,spirituality and happiness. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24.Results: The mean scores of AAQ and its three domains of psychosocial loss, physical change and psychological growth,spirituality and happiness were 81.85(+10.39), 26.46(+4.97), 28.34(+4.69), 27.01(+4.02),101.06 (+12.88),and 31.72 (+9.87), respectively. Three domains, spirituality and happiness were positively correlated with each other. The spirituality acted as a full mediator on the positive relationship between the two domains of physical change and psychological growth and happiness.Conclusions: First, Chinese old adults’ attitudes toward aging was positive and positively related to spirituality and happiness; second, Chinese old adults’ spirituality was high and positively related to happiness; third, Chinese old adults’ happiness was fair and the significantly positive association between old adults’ attitude toward aging (i.e. physical change and psychological growth) and happiness was entirely due to the growth of spirituality.

A Journey Through Romantic Heartbreak and Psychological Growth: An Exploratory Phenomenological Study of Adult Females

Romantic heartbreak is common, affects all genders, and does not spare the adolescent or adult. While some recover and experience growth beyond their pre-break-up state, others do not fully recover. What are the factors that facilitate or impede recovery? Could there be restoration for heartbreak? These are some questions that this study set out to explore. Using a phenomenological lens, eight Caucasian adult females who self-reported as experiencing heartbreak from heterosexual and same sex relationships were interviewed. Emerging themes from transcribed and coded interviews included relational evolution, decline, end, rumination, and recovery. While each relational phase transitioned to the next, the path of rumination influenced participants’ level of recovery. Results indicated that participants who exhibited productive rumination eventually achieved a state of mental and spiritual renewal. Several implications are discussed, including how counselors may help to facilitate productive client rumination and renewal post heartbreak.

Attitude towards ageing and perceived health status of community-dwelling older persons in a low resource setting: a rural-urban comparison

Background Older person’s attitude to ageing is critical for their adjustment, acceptance of health-related behaviour, survival and choices. Their attitude influences how they cope with the challenges experienced while ageing, which affects their quality of life and health-related outcomes. Despite the increasing number of older persons in sub-Saharan Africa, there is limited information about their experience. This study examines the experience and attitude of older persons in Nigeria regarding the ageing process. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study among older persons aged 60 years and above was carried out in a selected rural and an urban community in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria. The study participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Trained research assistants collected data with the aid of an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. The Attitude to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) was used to measure participants’ perception of ageing in three domains (psychosocial loss, physical changes and psychological growth). Data were analysed using Stata version 14 at a level of significance p < 0.05. Results A total of 1,180 participants (588 rural vs. 592 urban) were recruited for the study. The mean age was 73.2 ± 9.3 years. The majority (69.7 %) were females and still working (50.5 %). Overall, urban-dwelling participants had a better attitude to the ageing process in all the domains compared with rural-dwelling participants (psychological growth 32.5 ± 3.4 vs. 32.4 ± 3.3, p = 0.30; physical change 27.5 ± 5.1 vs. 26.9 ± 5.0, p = 0.03; and psychosocial loss 25.3 ± 5.7 vs. 25.0 ± 5.3, p = 0.60). Among the rural and urban-dwelling participants, good self-rated health was significantly associated with a positive attitude to ageing across the domains. Conclusions Older persons residing in urban communities had higher positivity to ageing than their rural older counterparts. The common factor significantly associated with a positive attitude to ageing in both groups was good self-rated health. This information can be used for the planning of targeted interventions and informing policy formation for improved provisions for community-dwelling older persons in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries.

The Transformational Experience of Junior Nurses Resulting from Providing Care to COVID-19 Patients: From Facing Hurdles to Achieving Psychological Growth

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put significant pressure on junior nursing staff. The objective of this study was to examine the in-depth experiences of junior nurses in providing care for COVID-19 patients within an acute care setting. This study employed a phenomenological method to understand the situation from a first-person perspective. Purposive sampling was used. Interviews were performed with 40 junior nurses (<4 years of clinical experience) who provided direct care to COVID-19 patients in isolation wards in acute care settings in Hong Kong. The interviews were conducted from 1 January 2021 to 24 May 2021 via virtual conferencing software (Zoom) to maintain social distancing, and the responses were analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Junior nurses’ psychological experiences of providing direct care to COVID-19 patients were categorised into four main themes. First, there were hurdles in the early stages, in which participants experienced negative emotions, such as fear, anxiety, helplessness, and fatigue. Somatic symptoms, such as headaches and sleep disturbance, were reported. Second, the adoption of self-care coping strategies enabled nurses to confront the hurdles, signifying the start of self-transformation. Third, junior nurses maintained positivity under pressure by appreciating their sources of support (including their families and other important relationships in their lives). Professionalism was also found to reinforce positivity. Fourth, self-transformation resulted in psychological growth, which prepared junior nurses to be resilient and confident in their clinical practice to take up future challenges in the ongoing battle against the pandemic. The hurdles experienced by junior nurses at the early stage of their work in isolation wards provided the foundation upon which self-transformation took place. Being able to employ self-care coping strategies and further sustain positivity characterised the self-transformation process. Eventually, junior nurses became resilient and more capable of understanding both the negativity and positivity of their experiences. The self-transformation process also enabled junior nurses to recognise and appreciate the wider support system from various parties in society.

Religious and spiritual struggles and mental health: Implications for clinical practice

This chapter reviews the growing literature on religious and spiritual (R/S) struggles and their implications for clinical practice, with a focus on people with psychiatric problems. The empirical literature indicates that R/S struggles: (a) take a variety of forms that reflect tensions and conflicts around the sacred; (b) are not uncommon among people with psychological problems; (c) are robust predictors of poorer mental health; (d) may be a cause and/or effect of psychological problems; and offer the potential for positive psychological growth and transformation, depending on how they are understood and handled. Practical recommendations are then offered to help psychiatrists draw on basic clinical skills to assess and address R/S struggles in treatment. Specifically, this chapter considers how practitioners can help patients name and normalize their struggles, accept and reflect on these conflicts, and access R/S resources that offer potential resolutions to their struggles.

Openness to Experience and Post-Traumatic Growth

Although many individuals retrospectively report feeling more open and receptive to new ideas and possibilities after experiencing adverse events, research specifically examining growth on this dimension of character (as opposed to more general psychological growth) remains scarce. To stimulate future theoretical and empirical work in this area, this chapter reviews and discusses existing scientific research pertaining to changes in the personality trait of openness to new experience following adversity. Studies using retrospective self-reports have shown that people judge themselves as more open following highly stressful events. Such research also suggests that changes in openness could even help foster more general psychological growth. It is, however, possible that people involuntarily distort their self-perceptions to cope with difficulties, and several other lines of research have produced contradictory findings. Correlational and experimental evidence has shown that stressful experiences can decrease openness. Most longitudinal studies examining changes in personality over time have found no changes in openness following negative events. To help reconcile previous contradictory findings, the authors propose a methodological agenda including using multiple methods to assess openness, complementing correlational with longitudinal methods to examine changes over time, studying everyday manifestations of openness (including how people deal with everyday stressors), and investigating potential moderators and mediators of growth in this trait. Such research will help increase clarity about the circumstances under which people may (or may not) become more open as a result of adversity.

The Pearl in the Oyster

This chapter considers the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the context of advanced cancer, drawing upon both theory and empirical research. The concept of PTG refers to improvements that have been postulated to occur in psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual domains as a result of successful coping with trauma. Various theoretical models of PTG are described and compared and the controversy as to whether PTG is a real, observable phenomenon is explored. The chapter specifically considers the unique emergence of PTG in advanced cancer, the measurement tools that have been used, and the methodological challenges of research examining this relationship. Finally, the potential of Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) to promote psychological growth in patients with advanced cancer is explored.