An emerging theoretical lens post global epidemic and turmoil: Psychological immunity

TL;DR

This paper explores psychological immunity as a concept that helps individuals and societies cope with modern challenges like global conflicts and crises.

Contribution

The paper integrates biological and psychological immunity into a unified theoretical framework for understanding resilience.

Findings

There is growing evidence linking biological and psychological immunity processes.

Psychological immunity has intra- and inter-mechanisms that support survival in both physical and metaphysical contexts.

The paper highlights potential applications of psychological immunity in research, practice, and policy.

Abstract

The concept of psychological immunity is not a new idea. In response to the escalating conflicts and chaos that characterizes this era, we conducted this study and reviewed psychological immunity theory from the perspective of psychiatry, psychology, and philosophy. We found that growing evidence has demonstrated the connection between biological and psychological immunity process. This indicates an integrated immunity system that has developed over time for survival in both physical and metaphysical sense. The process-oriented conceptualization of psychological immunity is presented, as well as its intra- and inter-mechanism. We also discussed research, practice, and policy potentials of this field and advocated for its protective application at individual and societal level. Limitations and future research were addressed accordingly.

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