What does the process of 'meaning-making' in trauma recovery primarily enable individuals to do with their traumatic experiences?

The process of 'meaning-making' in trauma recovery primarily enables individuals to integrate their traumatic experiences into their personal narrative and worldview, transforming them from chaotic, overwhelming events into comprehensible parts of their life story. Trauma recovery refers to the healing and adaptive process following a traumatic event, aiming to reduce distress and promote well-being. Meaning-making, in this context, is the cognitive and emotional effort to understand, interpret, and find significance in the traumatic event and its aftermath. This process allows individuals to re-establish a sense of coherence and predictability in a world shattered by trauma, moving beyond a state of confusion or senselessness. By making sense of what happened, individuals can reduce the profound psychological distress associated with unprocessed trauma, as it helps to reconcile the experience with existing beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. It further enables them to re-evaluate and, if necessary, reformulate core beliefs that may have been challenged or shattered by the trauma, such as beliefs about safety, justice, or personal control. Crucially, meaning-making can facilitate post-traumatic growth, where individuals identify positive psychological changes resulting from their struggle with adversity, such as increased personal strength, deeper relationships, or a clearer sense of purpose. Ultimately, it empowers individuals to regain a sense of agency over their experience, rather than remaining passive victims, providing a framework for adaptation and guiding future actions and coping strategies.