The role of psychological flexibility in post-traumatic adaptation

According to the World Health Organization, 70% of the population reports experiencing traumatic incidents. Psychological flexibility, which consists of acceptance, cognitive defusing, mindfulness, value orientation, and behavioral flexibility, is important for adaptation after traumatic situations. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to determine the role of psychological flexibility in the process of recovery from traumatic events. This paper uses the methods of literature analysis and observation. In particular, the PRISMA approach was used to collect relevant scientific materials. To include the literature, 5 criteria were developed that related to the content, methodology, and time of writing (from 2014–2024). A total of 40 items were included. The results showed that psychological flexibility is characterized by such factors as perception, cognitive defusing, mindfulness, value orientation, and behavioral flexibility. The study found that individuals with a high level of psychological flexibility cope better with traumatic events, have fewer PTSD symptoms, and recover faster. The conclusions note that well-developed psychological flexibility contributes to effective emotional management, adaptation to change, and finding constructive solutions in stressful situations. Thus, it is proved that developed psychological flexibility promotes recovery from trauma and reduces the negative impact of stress on health.