Finding Benefits in Adversity

This chapter discusses benefit-finding in adverse situations. It outlines the prevalence of benefit-finding in major medical problems, personality types and benefit-finding, and offers five conceptualizations of benefit-finding (as cognitive reappraisal, as a personality characteristic, as a reflection of growth or change, as a rationalization of temperament, and as a means of coping). The chapter also presents findings that distinguish benefit-related cognitions as adaptive beliefs—benefit-finding—from active efforts to recall benefits as coping strategies during difficult times—benefit-reminding.