An Interdisciplinary Model to Foster Existential Resilience and Transformation

Ingela Steij Stålbrand, Ive Brissman, Lovisa Nyman, Erik Sidenvall, Mattias Tranberg, Anika Wallin, Christine Wamsler and Juliet Jacobsen ()
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Ingela Steij Stålbrand: Department of Psychology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Ive Brissman: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Lovisa Nyman: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Erik Sidenvall: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Mattias Tranberg: Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, The Institute for Palliative Care, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Anika Wallin: Department of Philosophy, Lund University Cognitive Science, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Christine Wamsler: Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), Faculty of Social Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Juliet Jacobsen: Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Oncology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden

Challenges, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Existential threats, including threats to the self, society, and the planet, are present throughout the lifespan and form a core element of the human experience. To consolidate knowledge and constructs about how people can adequately respond to existential threats, we convened an interdisciplinary working group, which consisted of eight researchers from the fields of psychology, systemic theology, practical theology, religious studies, cognitive science, palliative care, and sustainability science. The group met one day per week for 9 months to engage in an interactive co-creative process of data collection and analyses, discussion, iterative presentations, and writing. The process resulted in the development of an interdisciplinary model that pulls together the key themes of how people, societies, and systems can foster existential resilience and transformation. The model consists of three axes across which we (individuals, groups, systems) have to strengthen or stretch our “inner muscles”: connectedness, agency, and time. All axes contribute to the development of our inner capacities and, ultimately, meaning and purpose, which are crucial to support resilience and transformation. Our interdisciplinary overarching model provides a common conceptualization for existential resilience and transformation that can bridge existing research to support individual, collective, and large-scale system-change work. Its relevance and potential implementation are illustrated and presented from different disciplinary angles.

Keywords: connectedness; agency; meaning; hope; long-term orientation; personal development; paradigms; values; transformative capacities; sustainability; adaptation; inner development; inner development goals; inner growth; palliative care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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