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Benefit Finding and Physical Health: Positive Psychological Changes and Enhanced Allostasis
Author(s) -
Bower Julienne E.,
Low Carissa A.,
Moskowitz Judith Tedlie,
Sepah Saviz,
Epel Elissa
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
social and personality psychology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.699
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 1751-9004
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2007.00038.x
Subject(s) - allostasis , psychology , habituation , coping (psychology) , psychological intervention , cognitive appraisal , health psychology , physical health , psychophysiology , clinical psychology , mental health , psychotherapist , public health , medicine , psychiatry , nursing , neuroscience
Many individuals who undergo stressful life events report that they have derived some positive benefit from the experience. Although the majority of research on benefit finding has focused on its psychological correlates, there is intriguing evidence that benefit finding may also have effects on physical health. In this paper, we review the emerging literature on benefit finding and physical health and present an integrative model in which we identify specific psychological and physiological pathways through which benefit finding may influence physical health outcomes. In particular, we consider the hypothesis that benefit finding may involve changes in a number of psychological domains – namely, changes in appraisal and coping processes, relationships, goals and priorities, and positive affect – that lead to a state of enhanced allostasis, buffering against negative effects of catabolic stress responses and promoting activity in restorative physiological systems. Empirical evidence for this model is reviewed, focusing on studies that have examined positive psychological constructs relevant to benefit finding and their effects on stress reactivity, recovery, and habituation, as well as restorative processes.