Discussion Assignment Instructions

The student must then post 2 replies of at least "two hundred and fifty words" by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned module. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 1 scholarly citation in current American Psychology format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation in current "APA" format. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, etc.

Please "reply" to the following....

The research area I am interested in is factors that contribute to post traumatic stress disorder, post traumatic growth, and resilienceparticularly for veterans following deployment to war. I would like to contribute to uncovering factors or elements that would assist in helping veterans heal after they have been to war. During my studies I have found an article by Meyer et al. (2019) that produced evidence that psychological flexibility is a construct that can be positively affected in psychotherapy to help one heal from PTSD. They also present acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a suitable treatment framework to work within that psychological flexibility. In my mind, I liken ACT strongly to biblical counseling due to the fact that the focus is meeting the sufferer where they are and helping them to find acceptance (New International Version Bible, 1978/2009).

Wolters (2005) sets the stage for understanding the world around us in the biblical grand scheme of things. He refers to a biblical Christian worldview as the Grand Narrative. The world was created by God and thus "structure" was developed and inherent in all things because God created them. "Direction" on the other hand, is the sinful path the world has taken since the fall of man. To use these terms to describe my field of research, God created man in relationships good and perfect, the earth and man perfect in His image (structure). Then Adam and Eve committed original sin in the garden of Eden (direction). Since then, relationships have been corrupted, both interpersonal and societal (direction). Anger became a result of differences and war became a result of men having differences they could not resolve (direction). I am researching pathways to assist fellow mankind to heal from this result of fallen direction. For the good sake of the structure God created It is possible to know both that healing can occur since we have hope from creation, and how to Find a spiritual direction to lead us back to that creation.

Just as Christians look forward to the resurrection of Jesus to make us whole once again, psychotherapy to heal wounds caused by mortal sins can be said to be seeking "reformation"to use Wolters (2005) Grand Narrative term. However, this reformation refers to healing the inner emotions and mental processes. I believe that just as one's soul needs cleansing from sin, one's heart and mine needs this healing as well to bring us closer to sanctification and ready for the return of Jesus. Healing from PTSD has been a common theme in my thoughts for many years. Only now however, with the help of Wolters, am I beginning to see this healing as a sort of sanctification or pathway to reformation. This brings a whole new light to my research. I will study and search to find elements of personality or psyche that represents the good order of creation to help PTSD sufferers find their way back to normalcy in thoughts and feelings. In other words, I will help to rebuild the structure within these sufferers that God put there in the first place so that individuals maybe sanctified and reformed, ready for Christ's return. In this way I will do my part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

References

Meyer, E. C., Kotte, A., Kimbrel, N. A., DeBeer, B. B., Elliott, T. R., Gulliver, S. B., & Morissette, S. B. (2019). Predictors of lower-than-expected posttraumatic symptom severity in war veterans: The influence of personality, self-reported trait resilience, and psychological flexibility. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.12.005

New International Version Bible. (2019). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978).

Wolters, A.M. (2005). Creation Regained (2nd ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing.

ISBN:9780802829696